August 30, 2018

Ready for a Fall the Fall

Hello sweeties! How's life treating you these days?

Honestly, I've never been so ready for the fall - and I'm not even a fall person to begin with. Not to mention, with the winter closing in (but even in spring occasionally!), I ALWAYS get sick in my peculiar "you won't take a proper nose breath or talk like a human being again for a month" kind of way. (Though this year I'm going to boost my immune system FROM SEPTEMBER TO JUNE - we'll see how it goes!). Plus, I don't only suffer the heat - I'm sensitive to the cold as well. Yeah, you got it - I can never win LOL.


But I digress. As I was telling you, I've never been so ready for the fall. Two months of relentless, unforgiving heat can do that to you - especially if you don't have air conditioning at home. I've been dragging my sorry ass from home to work and back, barely cleaning the house, living on cold cuts and quick meals, typing my hours away in front of my fans (sadly, they were never in the mood to cheer for me 😂). The only good thing that came out of that is, I produced an impressive amount of blog posts, most of them still waiting to go live. As of now, I have 3 of my September posts in place (while I'm in the process of rereading a couple of books I plan on reviewing in the same month), all of October covered (with an original feature called Back to Black, where I'm finally reviewing part of the books in my Halloween backlist), and even all of my November posts already scheduled (though I still need to put the finishing touches on two of them). Of course, I can always slip the additional post in if need be - say, if one of "my" authors releases a surprise book, or needs promotional backup for any of their projects. But as things are now, in three weeks I will have my blog covered until the end of November.


It feels liberating. It feels like I've accomplished something. And then again...always the same few people read my posts. I rarely manage to recommend books, because my reading tastes are different from most of my friends' (it's funny, you know. Some of my closest ones are those whose reading tastes differs from mine the most...). I write a personal post about a real life failure, and only 3 people comment on it (is it just that I've picked a bad week to do so? Was everyone too busy? And yet, posts older than that one are still receiving some belated love...). Sometimes (well, often) I wonder if I'm doing this blogging thing right. I mean, obviously, I rarely read popular books (and the purpose of this blog is precisely to shine a light on those who aren't popular to begin with) but still. Is this thing even on?

I wonder about all that for a while, and then I start tapping on my keyboard again. Because it feels like life, when you have none.


Anyway - I'm still digressing. I just meant to say - I'm ready for the fall, in any possible sense. Enjoying crisp weather and feeling like a human being again. Cooking proper meals. Doing all the things (well...some). Sharing all the posts. There's hope all that will do wonders for my body, but even more, for my mood. So come, fall, not a moment too soon.
(Sorry, everyone who's in school, college, anything that only leaves you with free time in the summer. I hear you, but I really can't take any more of it. I hope the next season will go easy on you. Love ya! 😘).

19 comments:

  1. You... don't... have... air conditioning??? I would die! It's been in the 100s here for weeks. I get irritated if the house feels hotter than 78. You're not the only one ready for Fall. I live for the cold months! I love jackets and boots, scarves and gloves, goofy hats -- ahhh. Oh, and hot chocolate and apple cider. Watching the leaves change color and fall... mmm.

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Heh, no, I don't. I looked up what 100 translates to in the Celsius scale we use, and man, I hear you. I wouldn't say that I live for the cold months, but right now, I'd rather be cold than suffer more heat! The fall has its own charm, but then comes the winter - there's where the problem lies LOL. Either way, I love jackets and boots too!

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    2. Also, my birthday is on December 14th, and around that time I get to treat myself with my annual big book haul (thanks to the salary bonus), so that's a plus! 😉

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  2. I am all for the summer ending, but every time I turn around, it's back in the 90s, and I hate my life. I am jealous that you have posts that far out. Totally not the case for me, though I really need to do a push to get a little ahead before my trip.

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    1. I hear you! This heat has been going on forever. No rain, just heat. Well, just hold on - it shouldn't be long now! As for the posts, it's the first time ever I have so many of them scheduled...and believe me, you don't want to be jealous, because it's just a side effect of my having no life 😥. Good luck with them though, and have a great trip!

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  3. Huge congrats on making so many posts! I can't wait to see them. :D I managed to do (I think) around 10-12 posts recently + a couple of TTTs + I'm working on 2 "series" - one two, the other three part long. Obviously, I'm proud of myself - BUT WHEN AM I NOT lol - because it feels good to be prepared, but really, I'm just happy I've been having so many ideas for the blog lately.

    Argh, this summer was crazy. I'm fine with the heat, but this time it lasted for WEEKS, and the house got warm as hell, and I was melting. I hated it. My reclusive ass only left the house a couple of time, and I died each time lol. Thankfully, the day I went to do Dua Lipa concert at the festival, the first concert we cared to watch (Kaleo) started at 17:45, but we still got to the festival ground around four, and then were just dying of the heat. To be fair, it wasn't THAT bad, it was like, 34 degrees out in the sun according to thermometers, a couple days before it was worse, I have NO IDEA how the people going to the festival at that time - especially those camping - survived.

    I *really* hope September won't be hot, because it's not only our house AND the university, but the trains as well (at least on our route) that are not air-conditioned. *cries*

    Hope your fall will be AMAZING. <3

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    1. You've done great too! Please don't mind me not always commenting, but I'm always reading! I'm curious about your "series" now...

      And I'm happy for you, because I know how much you enjoy festivals and concerts, and I remember how excited you were when you tweeted about them (particularly Dua Lipa). BTW, "my reclusive ass" was everything 😂.

      Aaargh, trains without air conditioning - are they out of their mind?

      Have a great fall yourself, and good luck (or break a leg?) with uni!

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  4. Yay for getting ahead! I was having a hard time finishing posts for a while (it's something I can struggle with), but I'm working on focusing on getting them done now. I finally have 3 ready, and have 2 more that I want to quickly push out. I only have 9 followers, but I wonder constantly how many of even that small number actually read my posts!
    I'm definitely ready for Fall as well. Although summer is one of my favourite times, it is also definitely my busiest at work. As much as I love the craziness that comes with it, I am SO ready for a break of a few weeks. Then, I could go back and do it all again. If it helps, hibiscus is a nice way to get some added vitamin C in to help when it gets cooler. I've heard it described as less acidic lemonade...and since I can't think of anything better to describe it as, I guess that works?

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    1. If it helps any - I have 102 followers on paper (No.103 is...me - just to make sure everything works properly with the updates!), which took 6 years to achieve...but only the usual handful of friends comment. Part of it is about reading the popular books (which I rarely do), but the most part is about making friends, taking the time to comment on THEIR posts, etc. That's time-consuming, and besides...sometimes I read a review and don't leave a comment because I don't know what to say (and I see it happening with mine as well). Of course, it's a lot easier with discussion/personal/general posts. Don't give up though! Everyone finds their niche eventually - big or small.

      I should try hibiscus then...but I guess that, at my ripe age, I need more than that LOL (I've been taking magnesium/potassium supplements all summer - still am - but the summer simply drains me no matter what). So libraries are more active in the summer? I didn't know that. Maybe it's because they're air-conditioned? 😉

      Good luck with your own schedule and have a happy Fall!

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    2. I often have problems knowing what to say with posts, but I am trying to even just comment with something short to get the connections going. But you're right, it definitely takes time...and I have to truly focus on doing it.
      And I do find the air conditioning is a big draw ;) but as I work mostly with youth, they are out of school and are (thank goodness) flocking to the library in their spare time!

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    3. Not every comment has to be long...you can always tell a honest, meaningful comment from a just-for-the-sake-of-it one, even if it's only a short paragraph 😉. Which reminds me...I'm a little behind with comments...😳

      Ah, yes, I forgot about your working mostly with younger readers. It's indeed great that they do!

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  5. I am currently in the not being able to "take a proper nose breath" of life right now and I don't know why. Its summer...that usually doesn't happen until late fall or early spring. Damn it!

    And it won't start looking like fall here for a few more months. But then winter is my go out and do all the stuff time of year.

    I am not ahead on the blog - but of course - because you are and we can't BOTH be ahead at the same time!!! lol

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I suppose weather is too screwed up by now...things don't follow a pattern anymore. Sorry to hear that!

      Ah, I understand. I take it that winter is mostly benevolent where you live 😉.

      Haha, I actually had to laugh out loud at that. But right now I'm taking it easy because that's what being ahead is for - isn't it? reaping the fruits of your hard work...So have faith - I'll probably fail at everything in a couple of months and it will be YOUR turn! 😂

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  6. I'm so ready for fall! Cooler weather, Halloween, and the death of allergies can't come soon enough. Wow! To have your blogging scheduled for the next three months! Your schedule is kicking butt! As always, I admire your commitment when I'm over here flailing to stay on top of things. xD

    As for the blogging blues, I'm sorry they're getting you down. :[ I don't really have a sense for what works and what doesn't either. The things you work hard on go unnoticed by the masses, and then you do seemingly nothing and gain five followers. It doesn't make any sense at all. Keep hanging in there, sweets. Your blog and your friendship ARE appreciated. <3

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    1. You suffer from allergies? That's a bummer. Definitely one more reason to welcome fall with open arms!

      Never in my blogging life I've been so ahead of my posts - I used to wing it day to day, to be honest. I don't know what imp possessed me a year ago or so, but I started making actual spreadsheets with goals, daily number of pages I intended/hoped to read, etc. - and it worked. Of course, it's easier when you don't have a life...

      And I'm so glad I met you. You're one of the people I talk to the most, not only about books - and I know you care. There's no faking it. Besides, you're funny, intelligent and warm-hearted. Everything you do is appreciated as well! Let's hope our blogs get more recognition (and gain more friends) in 2019!

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  7. Yeah. It's so bad this time of year. My head hasn't been clear in over a week. Bring on that first frost!

    Blogging is a part of a life! One of my favorite parts right now, to be honest. It even has a delightful social aspect with like-minded people. I have a loose schedule for my reviews and can't usually manage to stick to it. I wonder if I would have any better luck writing down goals for other original content. xD

    Likewise, sweetpea! I'm so glad Pike brought us together. Fingers crossed for the next year of blogging! <3

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    1. Come, first frost! (Sorry, everyone who loves the summer with all their heart LOL. I'm not a fan of winter, but mid-seasons have their pros...).

      Finger crossed!

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  8. SWEETIE???? WHO ARE YOU? LIKE WHAT HAVE YOU DINNER TO THE REAL AND TRUE ROBERTA. Then again, who am I to speak because I'm ahead in scheduling too? And in school work somehow? Someone's kidnapped and replaced us with ENTIRELY NEW human beings we're this productive. 😱

    Personally I've been behind in blog hopping with my wrist being a constant issue (still is, but a support is helping me out) and being busy, so I'm sure everyone else was in a busy boat known as life.

    There's no right way to blog, of course, and Tessa and I think you should join us on Discord if you ever want to talk to fellow book nerds. 😏

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    1. DINNER???? Someone must have kidnapped and replaced your phone too - with one that loves cooking shows or something 🤣.

      LOL, if we've been possessed by alien hosts or whatever, at least they keep us ahead of our own game!

      Sorry to hear your wrist isn't getting better. Are you getting any therapy? I hope it heals, if slowly. Also because the blogging thing needs a working wrist...I haven't been able to move my neck properly in a month, but at least I can type...

      Haha, nice try, but no thanks. I don't need yet another place to hang out, even if it is with the lovely likes of you 😉.

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