Yuletide Book Haul + Other Updates

Greetings from my humble book blog!

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I’m officially back from a hiatus. I was hibernating at work over the holidays which had worn me to a frazzle. I could use a good massage, a trip to the bookstore, a shopping spree or whatever therapeutic thing to ease this overall worn-out well-being of mine.

Now here’s a good news. I tendered my resignation letter to my ferocious boss a few weeks ago. Some of you might already know I’m the unhappiest clown on that job. It’s a blessing to finally muster the courage to stand up against this eventual trip of my career into a slump. While there were so many bad memories I only wished I could wipe with a flick, there were good ole ones as well. Some of my co-workers were a gem and though the promise of friendship will always be there, let’s face it, it wouldn’t be the same. Nonetheless, THIS IS FREEDOM!

Another good news, I got offered a job in a Japanese research and manufacturing company based in my country that promises a hefty paycheck and a lavish career experience. Whoa there! 2016’s giving me more than what I’m asking! No matter where I direct my passion to, it always heads to where it rightfully belongs, the research field. But wait, I haven’t gone to the best part yet! Next month, I get to have training in Japan. Looks like I don’t have to wait another year to get my bank account refilled to go back to the Land of the Rising Sun again. 2016’s playing out really well so far. All thanks to the Creator above! *queue EDM*

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On another news, Christmas had been magnanimous despite of me practically going MIA (for work) on its entirety. I ended the year with a few books added on my perpetually long list of TBR. Thanks to the scanty times I got to pretend I’m not busy and shop for books and to my family and friends who gifted me with these best loots in the world. These are only a handful compared to other bloggers who had an opulent Yuletide book haul. I’m featuring them anyway.

Some of these I’ve already read. I have a ton of pending book reviews which hopefully, I’ll accomplish this coming week. Click the titles below to be directed on their Goodreads page.

1. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (my review on this is already live!)
2. Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian (It’s addicting! I’m mightily inspired by Joan to read this)
3. Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
4. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
5. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (Because CW and Aentee‘s influence is highly contagious)
6. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Buddy reading these with the lovelies, Maan and Bianca) 
7. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
8. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
9. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
10. Illuminae by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff (When this glorious book appeared in the bookstore, I’m just struck in awe. Stocks are depleted fast so it’s literally a Hunger Games to get a copy here)
11. Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
12. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

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This year, I will be participating on three challenges. This is going to be tough especially when real life came busting in. Well, hey, it’s not a challenge if it isn’t, yeah?

Goodreads Reading Challenge

Practically every book blogger participates on this. I am the slowest reading animal in this game so I’m setting my goal to just 50. Check out the status of my sluggish pace here.

2016 Discussion Challenge

My blog has been in a run for almost a year now and not once had it featured any discussion post. For whatever reason.This year, I will participate on the 2016 Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight. I will try to move my lazy butt working and participate on this challenge. Hopefully, I can post at least one discussion post per month.

Popsugar Reading Challenge

Click the photo for a zoom or alternatively, check out their site here

Last year, I participated on PS Reading Challenge but alas, I didn’t meet it. This year, I’m motivated to accomplish the challenge and read what I feared the most, classics. Popsugar Reading Challenge promotes diversity on my reading options. I am typically lying in cloud nines of my reading comfort zone which is YA. I’m using this challenge to spark a little variety on my game.

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