A Comeback from Hiatus

 

It's been so long since I last posted a blog post and a book review here. My last post was posted in 2022, and now it's already 2024. I had abandoned this blog—well, not totally abandoned. Abandoning means discarding, in which I didn't because I came back—and I miss writing my reviews and chaotic thoughts just for the sake of writing. 

This year, just like I have mentioned, I am graduating. To be honest, I don't know why I revived my blog during the busiest and most important year of my academic semester, but when my mind and body are in agreement, who am I to disapprove? Besides, instead of book reviews, I have been writing a bunch of essays from last year until now. The joy and thrill of writing is keeping my momentum. I also missed gushing and ranting books that made my languishing time worth it. 

Undoubtedly, I have been missing in this blog for a whole year! I'm sorry for neglecting this little space of mine, it's just that I have been more focused in my life after coming back when the pandemic officially ended. My current state and academics need my attention, it's been my priority since this year I'm going to graduate and start my university life! But that doesn't mean I stopped reading too, I don't think my reading habits are something I could easily abandon. (If you want to be updated about my current readings, we can be friends on Goodreads!) Though I have to admit, the number of books I read per year is constantly decreasing. From 80 books in 2022, to 21 in 2023. I know, the sudden drop surprised me too. But I realised that my lower readings just proves that my life is happening, I have a reality that I had to keep up with rather than being stuck in my favourite fiction (or nonfiction) books. It just emphasises that pleasures sometimes can't be found in our books but in our world, in our life. 

so, what's new? 

Nothing much but I have a new blog banner style, still the same but some elements are different. I also intend to write my own reviews of manhwas I have been reading, movies, and series that I have watched. My posting time will be different too. Before, I just posted whatever and whenever I wanted. Now, I intend to write all the blogs I wanted to post and publish them all at once every sunday. So, I could have more time to edit, revise, and look at my reviews with a fresh set of eyes multiple times. Also, this helps relax my minor anxiety, perfectionism, and overthinking tendencies. (I know, what a terrible combination.) 

any new bookish goals? 

I hadn't set big bookish goals for this year to be frank. Since I'm expecting my graduation, I am also expecting a busy and time-consuming year. But if I did, it would be just a small one, still a goal is a goal! it would be so fun to achieve them all one by one. 

For 2024, I have set my reading challenge for 20 books. I have read a bunch of articles on why you don't need to keep up in these kinds of challenges, and the number of books you read isn't something that defines a reader. I agree, all propositions have valid points. But personally, my reading challenge is something that motivates me. It gives me a list and overall review that I could always look forward to at the end of the year. 

I also wished to read more nonfiction this year, mainly feminist books, collections of essays, and poetries. I did not set a particular number but I hope it will be double the number of fiction books. 

I started this year reading three fantasy-romance novels (which surprises me because I find it hard to read fantasy books). Now that my brain has found comfortability in reading fantasy, I think I'm starting to want to read more fantasy-romance. Fourth Wing and Powerless had set a certain standard for me. (By the way, I had written a book review of Powerless! It was a fun and enjoyable fantasy with slow-burn romance, more of it here!) 

I'm the kind of reader that so often avoids reading books that are part of a series. If I did read one it was mostly book one and I never found the willingness to read the succeeding books. because: one, the next books probably flop based on reviews; two, the storylines get crazier that I don't see any motivating factor to be a story in a long length; three, the characters just ruined it for me. What I hate about characters (depending on the book) is when they completely forgot their main mission, the main character completely had a sudden change of personality without proper development. Most of the time, I just noticed that the book keeps getting longer and longer just for the sake of a 'series' rather than focusing on the main plot. 

So, one of the goals this year is to finish reading at least one whole series in any genre with the hopes that finally I have a whole series that I like. 

new blog goals? 

I don't do anything in particular but to be consistent on writing and posting without any pressure on my back. Secondly, to be finally content in my blog interface and design. Because for the love of all gods, I couldn't find a suitable template! I'm thinking of transferring to another platform, but thinking of all the adjustments I have to go through is already burning me out. If I could find enough time, money, and courage, I think I'll hop to another blogging platform. 

endnotes 

it feels good to be back again in my little space, may this twenty-twenty four be good enough to achieve all my given goals despite the busy schedules, and other happenstance. 

It's a comeback for this year.