(Bookish) Chats with Lily // My Half-Year Blogiversary Ft. a Reading Resolution & More Physical ARCs

Hello, all of you lovely human beings! ❄️

It’s been a while since my last (bookish) chat with you, and there’s so much I want to fill you in on—some of it incredible, and wonderful, and some of it less so—but that’s life, right?

This seemingly random GIF made my lips curl into a smile, and is similarly intended to make yours do the same.

For some reason, looking back on October, and September, and all the previous months, I was struck with the realization that my months seem to all start out relatively great, but end less than ideally—and I really hope November breaks with this unwanted “tradition”.

I’ve been more adamant than ever to spread more kindness in the world (wow, this sounds really dramatic), and have been thinking of ways in which I could do that. My mental health hasn’t been the best in the past couple of weeks, and months, and I know firsthand just how much a little compassion, and kindness, and just a few thoughtful words can brighten a day for me.

One small way I thought of (online) was giving back to the blogging community, and helping other bloggers get more recognition. I’ve decided for my own blog to become a platform to feature other bloggers, and a place where I boost marginalized (book) bloggers’ voices (Asian, POC, and LGBTQIAP+ bloggers, and mental illness advocates in particular).

There’s been an overwhelming amount of response, and I’m still in the process of going through all the applications, but you can still sign up for my Sprinkles of Dreams – Blogger Feature, if you want to be involved!

I had the honor of being selected to promote BlissPrintsUK‘s beautiful prints last month, and I’m so excited to show you the ones I picked out to decorate my room with.

 
The second print is supposed to hang above my bed, but I’m still waiting for my dad to drill a hole into the wall. 🐣

BlissPrintsUK recently added new prints to their website, many of them Christmas-themed, so definitely head over to their homepage! And don’t forget to use my code SPRINKLESOFDREAMS20 for 20% off your order—valid till 11/11.

I’ve also been meaning to invest (I say, because I’m a poor student) in some bookish merchandise for a while, mainly bookmarks, candles, and pins, so if you have any favorite stores—I’d especially like to support smaller ones—or items, please let me know! 💗

It’s been … (almost) six months since I started blogging, and I just want to use this occasion to say a huge thank you to every single one of you who’s been so welcoming, and supportive, and has made this entire experience so wonderful!

Your comments and messages, both here on my blog, on Twitter, on Instagram, &&. mean so much to me, and I’m really so thankful for everything that blogging has brought me, and above else, all the friendships I’ve formed.

I can’t believe I’m actually able to say this, but I received emails from three (!!!) different publishers this month, telling me that they’d be happy to send me physical ARCs of books I’m dying to read. I’m so grateful, and excited, and also anxious for them to arrive. Because, as you know, I won’t be able to believe that I’m actually this lucky, until they’re in my hands.

And in the interest of full disclosure, and being 100% honest with you; most of the publishing houses I approached (especially in the US) haven’t replied to me, or have replied saying that they don’t ship internationally, so please don’t get discouraged, if you don’t hear back right away (or ever), or get denied.

My road to these ARC approvals wasn’t paved with roses, and it pays off to be scrappy … like Monica.

Seriously, though, who gave people the right to be this kind to me. 😭💘

I’m also somewhat relieved that their release dates are all in 2019, because—and it’s honestly been a long time coming—I’ve decided to restrict myself to reading only a certain amount of books per month. I’m still unsure on the exact amount, but I know that it’ll definitely be less than fifteen, maybe even less than ten.

• I somehow fell into a reading slump that made me decide to binge watch Revenge. Honestly, I love Emily (the real Amanda Clarke) so much, and we need more strong, and confident women on TV. Even if her whole revenge-enda (hi, hello, hi, my puns are back) is a bit … well.
• Also, chatting with Kat made me all nostalgic, and reminisce about my childhood, which is why I ended up watching The Thief Lord. I absolutely adored the book as a kid, and it has one of the few movie adaptions that didn’t let me down. Everyone, please go watch it, if you haven’t yet, because it’s absolutely magical, and features the most wholesome friends group & relationship portrayal of siblings you’ve ever seen.

What have you been up to?
Anything exciting happening in your (blogging) life?
What are you currently reading? 💗

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