31 December 2020

Monthly (and Yearly) Wrap Up. December

Happy New Year's Eve! 🥳 Still remember me? No, I didn't give up on blogging after my 10th blogversary (although it might have seen like I did since I have not shared new content nor blog hooped in the last two months). Life was a bit busy, aka I began a course that took all of my free time, so I had to take a mini blogging break. I don't like taking breaks (I fear everyone will forget about me), but sometimes it's very hard to jumble my PhD / work and blogging together. Hopefully, 2021 will be a year filled with lots of new content.

What I've been up since I've been gone:

🌻 Job hunting, which is so much harder with COVID since no one seems to be hiring. I sent three applications in December, so wish me good luck.
🌻 Lots and lots of drawing! I'm no Picasso and after a ten-year break, I still have a lot to relearn.
🌻 Talking about drawing. I'm slowly putting together a new project that I can't wait to share with you.
🌻 I've been wondering about creating a Patreon account. Do you have one? 🤔
🌻 About the course I mentioned above, I just sent my final paper and if everything goes well I will be able to teach.
🌻 I read 59 books this year. Not the number I was aiming for, but 2021 will be better. Ps. I will be talking about my reading year in another post.
🌻 Now, onto the most exciting book-related thing of the year: I RECEIVED MY FIRST EVER PHYSICAL ARC! 😭 You can watch the unboxing here. The recording is bad,  but I was not okay, okay? After ten years and since I'm an international blogger, I had given up hope. But nice things do happen when you least expect.
🌻 I received an acceptance e-mail for my first international conference of the year. I will be presenting a paper on YA dystopias, pandemics, and posthumanism. Since it is an online conference, I will be presenting from home, and a cat (or two) may make an appearance.
 
Thank you to Penguin Random House International for sending me a physical ARC of Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift. I can't wait to read it -- maybe it will be my first read of the year. 🥰 I was surprised to find that my Netgalley request for Dustborn by Erin Bowman was accepted - I requested it more than three months ago!!! I finally got Cress by Marissa Meyer -- it was a Christmas gift, from me to me.
 
How was your December? Did Santa leave any books under your chimney?

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12 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the conference and the physical ARC. That's exciting! I admire those who have been able to find new jobs during this. I cannot imagine it's easy. Good luck!

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  2. Congratulations on the conference and the physical ARC! I can totally understand since I'm an international blogger as well! Hope 2021 is a great year for you!

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  3. Fingers crossed for your job hunting and the teaching ! I love drawing too, but haven't been practising for too long, alas, I'll be happy to read about your project. You're going to hold an international conference ?! Wow, I can't imagine the stress ! But the cats will help you, of course :)

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  4. Hi there Tania! Yes, I've sure missed you! But it's good to hear your absence was for good reasons. Good luck with the job hunting...!

    Oh I can imagine your unboxing of your first physical ARC! I'm going to take a look at your unboxing now.

    Congrats on the conference and I do hope a cat or two will make an appearance.

    Glad to have you back!

    Lots of love,

    Mareli & Elza

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  5. This year has been hard on all of us, so no shame in taking a break! Cast In Firelight looks really good! I hope you enjoy it! I hope you have a great 2021!

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  6. Working on your PhD is a great reason to take a blogging break!

    Congrats on the physical ARC! I am always so confused when netgalley approves things long after I have forgotten about them.

    Cats always come up at the best times! I'd love to see one (or two) pop up!

    Happy new year! Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. I sounds as though you have been busy and done well. Good luck with the job hunt. Happy New Year!

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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  8. Happy New Year.
    We won't forget about you ;) No worries. Everyone needs to take a break sometimes.
    Congrats on getting the ARC.
    Have a great week and happy reading.

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  9. Good luck in your job hunting.

    ENJOY your books and your week....stay safe

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  10. Congrats on the physical ARC. I used to chase them, but have actually gotten to the point that I prefer NetGalleys--less pressure and frankly, I don't have to figure out what to do with them when I'm done.

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  11. I hope this year will be better.
    Good luck with the job hunting.

    Happy reading!

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  12. We didn't forget you and are glad to see you back! Congrats on the physical ARC. I have learned to enjoy the NetGalley, ebook and audio offerings.
    Congratulations on your conference opportunity too. And good luck with your applications.
    I use Patreon for just a couple of special sites I follow.
    I like the looks of your new books. I have Cress on audio and hope to listen to it this year.
    Stay well and stay connected. :-)

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