Bookish Lifestyle
The Two Types of DNF’ing I Use + Why Both Are Okay
In the magical world of being a reader, sometimes you find a book you just can’t seem to connect with. So you DNF it. DNF stands for ‘Did Not Finish’. I used to be so afraid of DNF-ing books when I first started posting online about my reading. It made me feel like I was a bad reader. But the truth is that not all DNFs are the same. I’ve come up with two types of DNFs because sometimes you just gotta give yourself some grace. So let’s dive in! The Soft DNF This happens when I am enjoying a book, but I prioritize other books over it. Or I…
How to *Actually* Remember What You Read
Do you also belong to the unfortunate group of people who forget what they read as soon as they read it? If so, congrats! The upside is that you’ve found your people! With so many books to read, life responsibilities, and so much more happening, it can be easy for the details of a book to slip away. I’ve recently (after a lot of trial and error) discovered some simple ways to help remember what I’ve recently read. So let’s dive in and see if any of these tips can help you as well. Choose Books That Match Your Engagement Level One of the biggest issues I used to have…
How To Repair Your Relationship With Reading
There was once a time where I could pick up a book, read it in a couple of days, and then (barely) reflect and move on. It became a natural cycle of reading. A simple relationship with literature in which I found a deep sense of not only happiness but also security and a sense of self. And I’m sure you can relate to that feeling. Over time, my relationship with reading has strengthened and even felt incredibly long-distant. As though I was still here in New York and my bestie reading was all the way to Australia. Both of us living our lives separately, only stopping to briefly think…
Kindle Paperwhite Review – Still Worth Buying?
In the spring of 2024, I took the plunge and finally purchased a Kindle Paperwhite! I waited patiently for my local store to have it in Agave Green and once I saw they had it in stock, waited no longer. So now that I’ve had the Kindle for a few months, I’ve developed some clear thoughts on the device. There will also be a tldr at the end of both sections in case you’d prefer to skim! For reference, I have the 6.8” Kindle Paperwhite in Agave Green with 8 GB storage and an average 10 week battery life. The Kindle Paperwhite comes with a USB-C charging cord and user…
How To Write Good Book Reviews
Book reviews have become one of my favorite things to make blog posts and YouTube videos about. I love sharing my opinion but also reading/listening to other reader’s opinions as well. So far, I’ve written about 70 book reviews. That’s a solid chunk of book reviews! At first, I didn’t have a format for my reviews, but if you take a look at most of my recent reviews, I’ve found a way to simplify the process. I do advise you to take my advice with a grain of salt. While I do have a Bachelor’s in English & Creative Writing and I’ve been running this blog for almost 3 years,…
8 Ways To Read More Without Spending A Lot of Money
So you’re a reader or you want to be a reader, but you don’t want to break the bank. Well your wallet can go sigh in relief because I have some simple tips on how you can read more, without spending more money. We’ll start with the completely free options, all the way to the (probably) most expensive options. Free to Low Cost Options Seriously, I’ve stepped foot into my local library only once. That was to get my library card, where I promptly returned home, signed up for Libby by Overdrive and Hoopla. Although I do also advocate for actually checking books and other media out of your local…
Practical Ways to Get Out of a Reading Slump
It’s happened. I have hit a wall in my reading journey and so I am taking a little, tiny break. This means I’m still listening to my audiobooks and reading my ARC copies, but otherwise have taken a step back from my TBR. Reading slumps are inevitable and having one right after the holidays comes as no surprise. And while I am 100% okay with just letting my slump run its course, sometimes I don’t want to be in a slump and I want to get right back on track. So if you’re in the latter position where you want/need this slump to get outta town ASAP, here are some…
18 Practical Ways to Get out of a Reading Slump
Wouldn’t it be nice if reading slumps didn’t exist? If we could always be reading a fabulous book that captures our attention and makes us eager to read the next book. Unfortunately, everybody goes through reading slumps and that’s okay! If you’re in the middle of a reading slump, I have some practical tips to help bring you out of your reading slump. Before we dive in, what is a reading slump? A reading slump is a lull in your reading habits. We sometimes stop making time to read or lose interest in what we are reading, which in turn can lead to a reading slump. So what causes a…
10 Simple Ways to Develop a Reading Habit
Some of my earliest memories, revolve around books. This may sound a bit nerdy, but it is the truth. I have always loved to read. I am a big advocate for reading, especially when I was pursuing my Bachelor’s and found myself with little time to read for enjoyment. This blog was developed out of my love for books. Earlier I was thinking about how I got back into reading after graduating and wanted to share my tips with you. Whether you are or a student or not, no matter where you find yourself in life, these 10 simple ways to develop a reading habit are for you. It might…
Should You Support Problematic Authors? + How to Separate Problematic Authors from their Work.
Like you probably have, I’ve noticed an increased awareness around the internet about problematic books and authors. While I think reading books of all genres and ages is important, I want to focus more on the sometimes problematic authors. The ones whose morals don’t align with our own as readers. More importantly, the ones whose comments and beliefs are harmful. Lately, I’ve been reading and reviewing the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, but it is hard to support an author whose morals don’t align with my own, despite loving the series. So what can we do when we love a book but not the author who wrote it? First…




















