Weekly Update: May 28-June 3

    Before we get into today's post, I want to mention the tragedy that occurred a few days ago in Uvalde, Texas. You may have seen that I posted a little on my Instagram story about it. However, I think it's important to mention it here as well.

    I could spend paragraphs writing about how horrible and terrifying the whole thing is, but I know that you could find that on any news article released in the past few days So I just ask that if you're able to, please visit/share/donate to the GoFundMe pages of the families affected or find out if you can participate in a blood drive to help out. Also, please remember to check on your kids, your family, and your friends. If anything at all seems off, address your concerns or find someone who can.

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    Hello again! It's been a whopping 20 days since my last post, and, let me tell you, it was a pretty wild 20 days. I'm really glad to be back in action here and on my Instagram.

    As far as reading goes I'm in an itty bitty slump at the moment. I guess it's just because being home for break makes me want to do things and clean stuff simply because there's so much more space to do things and clean stuff. And when I'm not doing things and cleaning stuff there are online courses to work on. I've been trying to make more time for reading the past couple of days, and I'm feeling pretty good about my efforts. Hopefully I will be able to write some more reviews this week!

    In other news, I have two new ARCs to read and review in the next two-ish weeks. After I get through them, I'll be taking a little break from ARCs because I've realized how many books I have on my physical tbr.

    Speaking of my tbr (smoothest transition ever, right? *winks sarcastically*), let's venture into the books I'm going to attempt to read this week:

• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
• Honestly I have no words. It's good sometimes and other times there are men talking about weird abstract politics/philosophy. I'll finish eventually.
• Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins
• Someone bought me this for my birthday a few years ago, and it's been sitting gathering dust on its pretty cover for a long while. I was a bit scared that it would be dull and boring, but I'm definitely enjoying it so far!
• The Rose by PD Alleva
• This is one of the anticipated ARCs. There are two books in this series that I'll be reading, and this is the first. The concept is intriguing, so I'm eager to see how it will be.

    Now, my dear readers, you may be wondering, "Gurlaffe! May is almost over! When are you going to read the books you picked out specifically for AAPI Heritage Month?" It seems that I have overbooked myself (pun extremely intended) and am not able to get to those books during actual AAPI Heritage Month. But do not fear! They're on my prioritized tbr (This is an actual real document that does exist; I am a list-master.) right after the ARCs. This was obviously not intended, but by now you know I'm lacking on the logistics planning side of reading books. Plus, AAPI authors are important every month of the year.

    The last thing I want to talk about is my lovely new book cart. It's starred in the background of a few Instagram posts so far, but I'll probably be posting something specifically to admire it soon. I definitely didn't think I'd be hopping on the book cart trend. I am a fan, though, so far. It's super helpful to be able to wheel my books around for spontaneous reorganizing. Also, assembling it was admittedly difficult because I kept not reading the directions and just shoving metal pieces together, so I was proud of myself for doing that.

    I hope you are all well! Stay safe and healthy, friends. Sending happy thoughts, good vibes, and chapters that don't end in cliffhangers!

Love,

Gurlaffe