February 2017
Last month, I decided to bring back this feature as a monthly post. I’ve updated a lot of what I used to put in these recaps so I hope you enjoy it!
February saw the end of my career as a Full-Time Student! It’s been 6.5 long years and I can’t wait to enjoy reading guilt free once I start my permanent job this month! A much deserved vacation at the end of the month ate into my reading time but I still feel like I had a great reading month overall.
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Total for February 2017: 13 Books Read + 4 Novellas Read
Last February: 15 Books Read + 1 Novellas Read
DNF’d: 2 Books
Standout Read (★★★★★)
I don’t read many regency/historical romances anymore, but this one reminded my why I love the genre so much! Not only did I find a new fave couple (seriously, I had butterflies the entire time I was reading this), but I started a fabulous new series and found an author I have to read more of!
Biggest Let Down (★★★/DNF’d Series)
I got this serial as a freebie years ago and needed something to escape my boring studying. But it was just so silly (as in bad to read) that it was frustrating me more than my studying!
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I thought it would be fun to keep track of my reading progress on my Kobo every month (and compare it to last year’s numbers). While I do own a Kindle now, I mostly use my Kobo for everyday reading. As per my #ShelfLove Challenge, I really want to increase the Total % of Library Complete by the end of the year.
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As of: |
February 28, 2017 |
February 10, 2016 |
| Total % of Library Complete |
20% |
16% |
| Total # of Books Finished |
540 |
434 |
| Total # of Reading Hours |
2218 |
1739 |
Fun Fact: In order for me to move 1% in my Kobo library, I have to finish 10 books!
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Most Viewed Post
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Most Viewed Review
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Previously posted series reviews that got updates:
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You can always get the full details on all my challenges on my dedicated page but here is a quick update:
5 Year 5 Book Challenge: 5 of 25 Titles Read
February’s 5Y5B reads: 
March’s Picks: 
Goodreads Challenge: 17 books added
#ShelfLove Challenge: 4 TBR Items
February’s #ShelfLove priority reads: 
March’s Priority Picks: 
Judge By the Cover Challenge: None
Classics Challenge: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (~60% finished)
March’s Classic Pick: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
View my Challenge Progress Here!
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Earlier in February, I brought back my Tackling the TBR feature and announced my plan to get my Goodreads TBR down to 500 books.
- Current TBR Shelf: 596 books
- Total # of Books Removed: 315
When I made that post I had 911 books on my “want to read” and I was able to lose 319 books simply by removing any books that I hadn’t marked as high anticipation or didn’t have a copy for (that was older than 3 years). I didn’t keep track, but I also removed quite a few from my “to-read sequels” pile as well.
My goal was to remove 259 and since I did that, I don’t think I will be moving forward with my “Rule 2: remove 12 books at the end of the months” plan. But, I will be keeping a cap on the number of titles I add to my TBR moving forward.
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You can still join in on these discussions:
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When looking at everyone’s wrap-up posts and deciding what I wanted to do for mine, I found I really loved the recaps where people shared other blogger’s interesting posts. The blogsophere is so big that it’s hard to catch everything that is happening so I wanted to bring it to my blog as well.
Here are some of my favourite posts that I’ve come across the past month:
- Ajoobacats @ Ajoobacats asked: Is it Self-Promotion When You Don’t Make a Penny?
- Niki @ Niki Hawkes shares her Book Journaling
- Shar @ Virtually Read discusses Realistic Books
- Cilla @ Paved With Books looks at Rarely Writing Negative Reviews
- Krysta @ Pages Unbound lists The Unwritten Rules of the Blogosphere
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Honestly, I Feel it Coming by The Weeknd was my jam! It was stuck in my head during my certification exam and kept me so calm! (Plus, it reminds me of a Michael Jackson song and I love that!)
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What were your biggest reading or personal accomplishments of the past month?
Leave a comment below!
Thanks for the around the blogosphere section. I don’t have as much time for blog hopping as I used to, so I looove these. #lazy
Lydia Tewkesbury recently posted…February Wrap-Up
Me too! there are so many great blogs out there but I only follow a few and have a hard time finding new ones sometimes so I always appreciate those features!
I will forever be envious of your reading speed, Lauren! I only read four books, but since one was an entire manga series I don’t feel too bad. And I’m not sure if I’ve noticed before but I love how you compare the stats between years. That’s so cool; actually every time I visit your blog I feel more inclined to go self hosted, lol.
Anyway, I hope that you’re well. Happy reading and blogging! 🙂
– Summer
(P.S. I’m also loving I Feel It Coming.)
February was a great month, March hasn’t been that great for reading so far. Joining the working world and leaving the student life behind has drastically altered my reading schedule. I’m hoping I can get the balance back!
Self-hosting does have its perks! It’s been a bit of a learning curb but I do enjoy it.
(It’s a great song isn’t it?)
Oh thank you for mentioning my post! I’m glad you liked it! Also, why do so many people use Kindles and not Kobos? I have a kindle (technically it’s my family’s) but I use my Kobo so much more because I can get library books and it has better battery life and I JUST LOVE IT OKAY. Also, isn’t the stats/award feature fun? I don’t actually have a TBR because I don’t have goodreads and I’m a mood reader, but I think the idea of decreasing the TBR is just smart. So go you!
Shar@virtuallyread recently posted…The School Book Tag
No problem!
I really do prefer my Kobo over my Kindle. I just find the features much more useful and I love that I can read my library books on it. I will say though that I do like the font features on the Kindle a touch more. The size stays consistent from book to book and I find my Kobo really fluctuates. I’m hoping to do a big comparison post for both in the summer 🙂