Monthly Wrap-Up June // Sprinkles of Dreams

June Wrap-Up // I Finished My 2018 Reading Challenge??

Posted on by Lily @ Sprinkles of Dreams

Happy Saturday, guys! ☺️

I can’t believe another month has come and gone—and my blog had its one month blogiversary! On June 8th, to be exact. Is it weird that I kind of think of my blog as my baby? 👶🏻🎂💗 (In the figurative sense, of course.)

Two things in relation to my bookish life have happened this month that I’m very, very excited about:

1. I completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge of 120 books! 🎊

I literally started procrastinating on reading books the very moment I finished book number 120, to be honest. However, someone (May) may or may not have challenged me to up the number to 200, so I may just do that … just to keep myself motivated. (Should I?)

and

2. I became a Book Depository Affiliate!

Free Delivery on all Books at Book Depository
I usually buy books at my local bookstore, but seeing as I live in Europe, and they very often don’t have the books I want, I’m so happy to have found this gem. Book Depository delivers books worldwide without extra shipping costs (and actually delivers them in a timely manner!!), and I have yet to not find a book I want to buy on their website.

If you order books online, and want to support blog(ger)s you love, definitely consider using the Book Depository links on their blogs, because we get a small commission if you do, and it doesn’t affect your shopping experience in any way!

You can find my Book Depository link in the sidebar, and I always put direct links to the books I recommend in my book review posts.

We appreciate it so much, if you use them! ❤

86-2booksiread

Total score 📚: 28
Re-reads 📖: 1
Short Stories 📘: 4
Graphic Novels 🖌: 8
Poetry 🎨: 1
Audiobooks 🎧: 2
Buddy Reads 👭: 6

Avg. Rating ⭐: 2.65

Young Adult: 20
Adult: 6
Non-Fiction: 1

28

Kings Rising (Captive Prince #3) by C.S. Pacat | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Summer Palace (Captive Prince Short Stories #2) by C.S. Pacat 📘 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Green but for a Season (Captive Prince Short Stories #1) by C.S. Pacat 📘 | ⭐⭐⭐
The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant (Captive Prince Short Stories #3) by C.S. Pacat 📘 | ⭐⭐⭐½
Forest of a Thousand Lanters (Rise of the Empress #1) by Julie C. Dao | ⭐⭐⭐

28

The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb 🎧 | ⭐⭐⭐
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson 👭 | ⭐½
Legendary (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber 👫 | ⭐⭐
Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 👭 | ⭐⭐⭐½

28

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman 🖌 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour ⭐⭐⭐½
Crush by Richard Siken 🎨 | ⭐⭐
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh (🎧) | ⭐½
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman 👭 | ⭐⭐½

28

Nice Try, Jane Sinner by Lianne Oelke ⭐⭐
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) by J.K. Rowling 📖👭 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (🎧)👭 | ⭐½
Solitaire by Alice Oseman 👭 | ⭐⭐⭐½
Nick and Charlie – A Solitaire Novella by Alice Oseman 📘 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐

28

Fence (Fence #1-#5) by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad 🖌 | ⭐⭐⭐⅓

28

Fence #6 (Fence, #6) by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad 🖌 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fence #7 (Fence, #7) by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad 🖌 | ⭐⭐⭐½
Vicious (Villains, #1) by V.E. Schwab | ⭐⭐⭐½

86-2My Favorite Posts

I published my first discussion post this month, in which I talk about something that’s been on my mind for a long time—and I’m honestly floored that so many of you related to my struggles, and very honored that you left me messages telling me about your own—THANK YOU. :’)

Bookish Musings + Discussion Time - I Hate Books? // Sprinkles of Dreams

The Twenty Questions Book Tag // Sprinkles of Dreams Pride Month - Book Recommendations

86-2Reviews I Posted

Wonder Woman Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo A Little Life by Hanya YanagiharaWe Are Okay by Nina LaCour // Sprinkles of Dreams Book Review The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis // Book Review by Lily @ Sprinkles of Dreams

86-2Posts I Loved

As always, it’s very important to me to show love and appreciation to fellow bloggers, and here are some of the posts and blogs I want to shine a light on this month:

    • I only recently stumbled upon Michelle‘s blog, and fell in love with it right away. Her moodboards are so beautiful, and I can feel myself turn into a heart eyes emoji whenever I see them. Moreover, she’s celebrating her four year blogiversary this month, so be sure to head over to her blog to congratulate her. ☺️
    • May, one of my favorite people in the book community, lets us in on her secret of how she keeps track of all the books she reads, and my slightly OCD self marvels at all those spreadsheets and subcategories and diverse books she’s been reading.
    • Swetlana wrote a brilliant blog post on how you can switch up your reading experience, and it was so entertaining, and inspiring—please go read it!
    • Catherine gives tips on reading on a budget, and I’m so happy to have been introduced to Open Library, thanks to her.
    • One of my new favorite bloggers Ju gets excited about upcoming Asian-inspired Fantasy book releases here, and I’m basically screaming right next to her.
    • Marie tells us how she avoids book slumps, and as always, her post is wonderfully written, and I absolutely adore it.

I also want to spotlight a few blogs that I recently started following—some of them are newbie bloggers, like I am, so please go show them some love 💞: Shan @ Little Irish Book Cat 🌸 Dezzy @ The Thoughtful Voice 🌸 Catherine @ Book Wonderland Web 🌸 Kaycee @ The Autumn Daydreamer 🌸 Nimika @ Wordhaven Blog 🌸 Satou @ Inkish Kingdoms 🌸

86-2Awards and Tags

As always, a million thank yous to everyone who nominated me for an award!! It means so much to me, and I’m so humbled that you guys thought of me.

I’ve been struggling with getting around to creating all the nomination posts, because I want to give you proper answers to your questions, so please bear with me, and know that I’m very grateful & am doing my best to answer them all as soon as I can.

Mystery Blogger Award The Sunshine Blogger AwardLiebster Award
Out of This World Book Blogger Award Awesome Blogger Award // Sprinkles of Dreams

Harry Potter Elder Wand Magic Mid-Year Freak Out | I Spy Challenge | 20 Questions Book Tag

blue-watercolor-wash-texture-5letschat!-2
Have you set a reading goal for 2018?
What was your favorite book in June?
Any July releases you’re looking forward to?

Feel free to leave me a link to your own June wrap-up post here, I’d love to drop by and see what you’ve been up to! 💗

xx, Lily

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Published by Lily @ Sprinkles of Dreams

asian & diverse book blogger. eternal dreamer. infj. ravenclaw. pianist.

103 thoughts on “June Wrap-Up // I Finished My 2018 Reading Challenge??”

  1. Wow, you put so much into those posts but the end result is amazing.
    Congratulations on finishing your challenge, I think you can easily do 200. Mine is 75 now but will probably become 100.
    I don’t have many anticipated books in July which means a chance to read old books and finishing series I have already started.
    I got a notification that says I was tagged but I can’t find a tag.
    Happy reading in July!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Hamad! I’m so happy you think so!! I actually do put a lot of effort into making these posts look like they do haha, so it’s nice to hear that someone appreciates it. 💜

      I managed to read so much, because I didn’t have to study a lot—the next semester is definitely going to be tough, and my anxiety is already skyrocketing at the mere thought of upcoming exams. 😩

      I hope July treats you kindly, and the books you read are all amazing! It’s always good to lighten the backlist a bit. 🙂

      Happy reading to you as well! ✨

      Liked by 2 people

      1. it is obvious when you look at it that it takes a lot of time!

        I am also starting next studying year at the end of this month so I have less time too for reading.Good luck to both of us :D.

        True ❤ and I found the tag!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I thought you were done with studying, rip. Why are our studies always keeping us from the things we truly love. 🙄 (Just kidding … a little bit.)

          Ahhh I totally forgot to reply to that part of your comment. 🤦🏻‍♀️ But yesss you found it. 👏🏻

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Oh my gosh, the little buddy read emoji is now my favorite way I’ve been tagged of all-time! And I can’t wait to be tagged in more with you, because I hope the rest of 2018 is filled with more buddy reads together! Happy reading and happy July! 💗xx

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Ahh Lily, congrats on already reaching your reading goal! That’s amazing, I hope you feel super accomplished.💓I’m currently so many books behind that I don’t know if I’ll ever catch up…*sigh* Oh well, there’s always 2019. 😉

    Aww, I’m so sad to see you didn’t enjoy They Both Die at the End! It’s one of my top favorites, but I can definitely see how it wouldn’t be for everyone. But yay, I love seeing Harry Potter on your list, hehe.

    I hope you have the best July!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahhh thank you, Olivia! ☺️

      My feeling of accomplishment lasted about one day, to be honest, haha. But ahh don’t worry about the reading challenge too much, it’s honestly much more important that you actually enjoy yourself when you do find the time to read. 😌💗

      Me too! I’m so sad and feel so bad about it, because so many of my friends absolutely love it. And now I find out that you do, too. 😦 But YES, Harry Potter! I finally made it to book seven in my re-read. 🙌🏻

      Thank you so much for your sweet comment & I hope July is kind to you! 💛✨

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Omg congrats on one month, Lily! 💕🤗 It feels like a lot longer! I finished my reading challenge too but it was less than half of yours, I’m impressed with how much you read last month!!! I’m about to start The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo soon and I’m really excited. And THANK YOU so much for including my post! I’m happy you liked it ✨

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Catherine! 🤗💞 It feels both shorter and longer to me, if that makes sense, haha.

      Ahhh congratulations on finishing your challenge, that’s amazing!! And I hope you absolutely love The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I’m looking forward to hearing what you think, when you’re done with it! 🙂

      My pleasure!! 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  5. i literally log in only to see what youre posting, omg QUEEN
    okay so, yes you should most DEFINITELY bump it up to 200 😉

    ALSO WHAT THE HELL HOW DO YOU READ SO MUCH 28 BOOKS LILY TEACH ME IM SO IMPRESSED

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Wow, I love your wrap up! Congrats on completing your Goodreads challenge!! I’m almost there too! 🙂 Definitely do 200!! I’ve done it twice before and it’s pretty awesome. Although, don’t burn yourself out. That kind of happened after I finished my challenge the second year.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Leslie! I’m so happy you like it. ☺️

      Congrats on doing so well in your challenge! 👏🏻 And that’s what worries me a little bit, because I do like a certain amount of pressure, but I also don’t want to force myself to read just so I can get to 200.

      Thanks for your lovely comment & I hope you have a great July! 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you! Yeah, I started my challenge low and then just up it about 20 books, each time I get close. Maybe start small? Then it doesn’t feel as daunting and put a lot of pressure on yourself!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Holy shit, girl, you are incredible. How in the world did you read so many books already!? I’ve read 12 this year!! You read more than that in a month!!

    And your blog is only a month old??!! I thought you’d been doing this forever!! I’m so impressed with you, you are amazing and deserve all the awards and success you’ve received and more. Keep it up with the great content!

    ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahh thank you, Libby! ❤️ (Eight of the 28 books are graphic novels, and took me maybe an hour to read, haha.)

      You’re such an angel, thank you so much!! That means a whole lot to me. 😭💖

      Happy reading & I hope your July is absolutely amazing!! 💛💫

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Wonderful post, as always! (I always love reading your posts, Lily; your lovely personality and beautiful writing always shines through. 😊) And ahhh, thank you so much for the shoutout!! It really means a lot. 😭💗

    I already congratulated you on finishing your 2018 reading challenge, but congrats again!! 120 books in 6 months; that’s amazing!! (I think you should try for 200 books; you can do it!! I believe in you. ❤️)

    My reading goal in 2018 is 50 books, which is so little compared to you, haha. I’ve read 20 books so far (I’m a little behind due to school 😅), but now that it’s summer, I’m definitely reading way more than I could during the school semester. My favorite book that I read this month is either Girl Made of Stars or Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, both by Ashley Herring Blake. 😍

    (Also, I’m so glad that you enjoyed Starfish and gave it 4 stars! I loved it too.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww thanks, Dezzy, that’s so sweet of you & you’re welcome! ❤

      Ahh please don’t compare yourself to me (or anyone!!), everyone reads at their own pace, and I’m honestly surprised I managed to read so much last month as well, haha.

      I’m glad you loved Girl Made of Stars! I haven’t read any of Ashley Herring Blake’s other books, but she’s definitely an author I’m keeping an eye out for. And yes, Starfish was such a wonderful book! ❤

      Happy reading & happy July! 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  13. I loved your discussion post so much, Lily ❤ I just read it now and congrats on completing your GR challenge. Do try for 200 because even my challenge is for 200 and I am slowing inching towards it. I recently started the Fence series too and I am liking it so far.

    My favorite read of June was Tash hearts Tolstoy and there are two releases that I'm looking forward to in July: Hullmetal Girls by Emily Skrutskie and Sea Witch by Sara Henning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahhh thank you so much, Amara, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! 🌻

      Yess, I enjoy Fence so much more than I would have thought, and I can’t wait for next installment! 🙂

      And that’s so wonderful to hear, Tash Hearts Tolstoy is on my TBR, and I’ve been meaning to get to it for a while now. I’m super excited for Sea Witch, as well! And I’ll definitely have to check out Hullmetal Girls, thanks for putting it on my radar. 😊

      I hope you have a great July & happy reading, Amara! 💫💛

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I absolutely love Vicious and Forest of A Thousand Lanterns, so I’m looking forward to read your reviews of them 😀 Also, it’s amazes me how you can read 120 books in 6 month! I’m already struggling with my current goal ahaha 😅 Congrats for reaching your goal though, I think upping it to 200 books is a great idea 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ohh I hope my reviews will do your love for both of these books justice, then. 🙈

      I honestly am quite surprised as well, but my next semester is going to be brutal, so I had a lot of incentive to enjoy as many books as I can now. 🙂 And I believe in you, you can do it! 👏🏻

      Thanks for your lovely comment, and I hope you have a wonderful July, Tasya! 💗

      Like

  16. Aaaaa thank you so much for linking to my post!!! ❤ ALSO YOU'VE READ 120 BOOKS. HOW. I'M. ACTUALLY. CONFUSION. I think that you should up it up!! I've only read like… 21 books this year and I have a goal of 100!!! rip me tho

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re welcome, Ju!! ❤

      I'M HONESTLY VERY SURPRISED MYSELF. And ahh don't worry about it, it's much more important that you enjoy yourself, when you do find the time to read! And since it's summer now, I hope you'll have more time to dedicate to books?

      Happy July & happy reading!! 💗

      Like

  17. 120 books, holy shit, you’re on a roll! I hope your reading year just keeps getting better and better!
    I’ve been meaning to start reading Fence for some time now (Nora Sakavic!!) but I don’t really read graphic novels so I wasn’t sure??
    Thanks for the shoutout! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Nimika!! 😊

      Ohh do you mean The Foxhole Court, maybe? Because Fence is written by C.S. Pacat, hehe. 🙂 But yes, definitely give it a chance, because it’s pretty amazing, and I don’t usually read graphic novels, either.

      You’re welcome! I hope you have a fabulous July! 💗💫

      Liked by 1 person

  18. HOW?! I am amazed that you already read so much and managed to finish your reading challenge, this is incredible. I guess since we’re halfway through the year, you can double it now? No pressure, haha 🙂
    It seems like you had a good reading month overall, so many books! I’m a bit sad you didn’t love Jane Sinner, I have heard great things about this book and it is on my TBR, I can’t wait to read it. Why didn’t you love it that much, if you don’t mind me asking?
    Thank you so, so much for sharing my post! I hope you’ll have a wonderful July! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. To be honest, I asked myself the same question, haha. I don’t think I could read 240 books, though, because my next semester at uni is going to be really tough – and it’s why I’ve been trying to read as much as I can, before it starts. 😦

      I’m so heartbroken about it. 😭 I fully expected to love it, because so many of my friends (with similar reading tastes) do, but I didn’t connect with the characters or the story at all, and I just … didn’t find it funny at all. :/ I hope you love it, though, and I’m already so curious to hear your opinion on it!

      My pleasure! 😊 I hope you have an absolutely amazing July, Marie! 💫💛

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well still, you are reading an incredible amount of books, that’s so amazing. I wish I could read that much, if only haha.
        Oh I’m so sorry to hear that :/ I guess sometimes, there are books that we can’t manage to click with :/ I’ll let you know for sure if I read it soon 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Thank you so much!!💕😍😍

    Congratulations on your goodreads challenge ✨🌸

    The way you use the emojis for your wrap up is amazing, so you mind if I use that system also? I’ll tag back to you 😘😘

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re welcome, Shan! 💞

      Thank you so much!! 🌷 And ahh I’m so flattered ☺️ I don’t mind & I can’t wait to see your post – I feel like such an influencer now, haha. Thank you for asking beforehand! 🙂

      Happy reading & I hope you have a wonderful July! xx

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Happy (belated) first blogoversary and congrats on already finishing your goodreads challenge?? 120 books!! That is amazing I’m in awe haha. You could change your challenge to 200 (I did when I reached 100 books last year around this time) but as long as that doesn’t pressure you! Reading should remain fun after all 🙂

    Also thank you so much for your kind words and sharing my post ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  22. It’s incredible how much you’ve already read this year, but at the pace you are going, I’d say YES! UP THAT GOAL TO 200!!! I have a feeling you’ll manage to read that without so much as a hitch even before December.
    And it’s so cool that you are a TBD affiliate now. I’ve considered it for a while, but then never went through with it. God knows why not haha I hope it helps you as a blogger a little bit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hehe, I think I will & thank you, Kat!! I hope so. ☺️

      I’m honestly so flattered that they even considered me, haha. You should definitely apply as well, if you’ve been thinking about it! It doesn’t take long at all, if that’s one of your concerns. 😛

      Happy July, and I hope you have an amazing month, Kat! 💛🌻

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Marie! 💝

      I’m honestly so surprised as well, I’ve never read as many books as I have this year. Aww, I hope you’re not putting too much pressure on yourself! And that the books you have read were great for the most part, at least. ☺️

      I hope you have a great July! 💫

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Alicia! 🌷 (And ahh you look absolutely stunning in your new pfp!! 💓)

      Me too, I was so disappointed – even more so, because I love Mulan, and I honestly don’t feel like Flame in the Mist deserves to be likened to it. 😦

      Thank you, I hope yours is amazing!! ☺️💛

      Liked by 1 person

  28. You reading month was incredible! I cannot imagine how your Goodreads challenge looks like! I am so happy also to be there! and to know that our little Kingdom exists! haha Keep up the good reading! There are like 4 that I would like to read from this list 😛

    Liked by 1 person

      1. i could never really stop :<<<

        listen this comment was supposed to be longer idk what happened here but i guess this is what i get from blogging at work :///

        Liked by 1 person

  32. I also struggle with what to do once I meet my Goodreads Challenge. I’ll be hitting mine here soon and I’m not sure whether to increase it or not. It’s a tough call! I’ll be interested to see what you decide.

    What an awesome reading month and an impressive post! Congratulations on your first month!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think I might go for 180 first, and then 200? That way, it isn’t too daunting … but I’m honestly still undecided, haha. Congrats on doing so well with your reading challenge, and I hope you figure out if you want to increase it soon! I’d love to hear what you decide on doing. 🙂

      Thank you so much, Maygin, that means a lot to me! 🌺💗

      Like

  33. omg it’s crazy how many books you read! My reading goal is only set to 50 books, which lets me read about a book a week to stay on track. I loved your discussion post this month–it’s always really interesting to see how readers rate/critique books and I don’t think there’s any right or wrong way to review! My favorite book of June was The Handmaid’s Tale, which was really good. I’d also love it if you checked out my wrap-up! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s really only until uni starts again, I hardly get any reading done during the semester. 😦

      Ohh I’ve heard great things about The Handmaid’s Tale, I’m glad you loved it!! Heading over to check out your wrap-up post now. ☺️

      Thanks for your lovely comment, Cailin! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Hold on, you finished your (remarkably massive) Goodreads reading challenge in just the first half of the year? YOU ARE OFFICIALLY MY NEW SUPERHERO! Congratulations!

    I know this is a strange thing to comment on, but I really love how your wrap-up post is formatted? It’s really making me feel like I need to organize mine better.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. I love your writing style, hoe you add a lot of graphics to your posts and blog to make it more interesting, and I’m totally gonna stick around to check your favourite blogposts out!I’d love for you to check my blog out too!Keep doing you xx

    Liked by 1 person

      1. dont be stressed, reading challenges are supposed to be fun!! worst care just fill it up with a bunch of graphic novels and short stories!!

        Liked by 1 person

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