I missed out on doing a May rewind because I was very mentally exhausted from finishing my first year of university that I didn’t even do much blog wise but I feel like I’ve jumped back from that dull feeling and I feel like I’m doing much better now! So I’ve quickly tacked on my May reads and music just so its documented.
This isn’t a life update, but more of a weather update. It snowed down here in Brighton, like heavily, with enough to settle. There hasn’t been like that like in Brighton in almost ten years. I still vividly remember the time it was. And I took some great pictures as well.
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Processed with VSCO with g3 preset
Aside from me getting excited over damn snow, this month was not very active. I’m settling into my second semester at university while also working a few days a week. Just doing what I can to get by, really.
Perhaps it’s weird that I can still have a wrap-up without blogging all that much, but I kept a promise to myself to blog more often, even if it means I’m rambling a lot. Despite my inactive first month, I’ve been reading a bit more – not the amount I used to read, but it’s enough to feel like I’m getting back on track.
L I F E
New Year’s Resolution | I actually set myself proper new resolutions which I intend to stick to. TLDR: Blog more frequently, read more, improve Bengali and do booktube.
Finish the first semester at university | because my timetable meant I only came in two days a week, it didn’t really feel like going to university, if that makes any sense. Luckily for me, my timetable for the second semester is a bit better, and I can plan work and other stuff around it more efficiently.
I also remade my Muslims in YA list. The previous one was two years old and severely outdated. You can now find it here (still a work in progress though!!)
Here is a very late (well, to me it’s late) wrap up of the books I’ve read in the month of January. A total of 11, which I’m pretty pleased with but I think the spirit of the new year kind of fueled that and I don’t think it will be as high as that for the rest of the year :’). And also a partial TBR of the books I want to read in February. The ones listed are all the Netgalley books (not including God Smites) I need to read.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Young Muslim Writer’s Award.Despite me getting episcleritis (inflammation in my eye) a couple of days before, it was still so much fun! Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and who won!
It was a great event with an amazing atmosphere! There were so many amazing moments but I know I’ll have to list some of my favourites.
Watching Muzoon Almellehan, a Syrian refugee, being given the Special Recognition Award for her activism in education for young girls.
When S.F Said presented the award for the KS2 Short Story Award – “There is nobody who can write your story better than you.” Since I had just completed NaNoWriMo and was currently working on a new story, this line was so encouraging.
When Caleb Femi recited some of this poetry – He’s so talented and funny! Also loved it when he spoke on the importance of making sure people of colour are not erased from literature.
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Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
The best part of the day was meeting Zoya. I met Zoya online after she commented on my Muslim Characters in YA post and we had spoken to each other a few times over the months. And we saw each other face to face for the first time here at the event. It was amazing to meet someone you’ve spoken to online for real! Zoya was actually nominated for an award in the Key Stage 3 poetry section and won!
Me and Zoya with her award
At the end of the awards, there was some time for networking but, unfortunately, we had to leave since my eye started aching a lot. And I had finished my eye drops so it was very painful 😦
While I really wished I spoke to more people, I’d like to end this post with a thank you to Zainub Chohan who invited me to the event and is basically the backbone of the #YMWA. It was a great event and wouldn’t have been possible with her. Thank you to all the judges, performers, nominees and presenters. Can’t wait to see what new talent we’ll see in 2017.
I completed NaNoWriMo! – One month and over 50,000 words later, I achieved completing NaNo. While my document is nowhere near where I want it to be, I’m just glad I have something written down.
I made a new library card – For the library here in Brighton, my dad made me a card when it first opened up and I used to go all the time. But more recently I’ve decided to start using my library again. And I think I went overboard with books. I learnt that you can borrow up to 40 books! And while I didn’t take out 40 (….yet) I ended up borrowing nine books and I’ve only had this card for like three days!
I read 5 books this month!
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
On the Other Side by Carrie Hope Fletcher
Girl Out of Water by Laura Silverman
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Initiate by Laura L. Fox
#DiversityDecBingo recommendation – I’m cheating with this one because it was posted December 1st but shhhh. This is my ever time doing something like this and I’m so excited.
Bad Habits – Okay but number 5 is actually me. I went to go return We Were Liars and left the library with five more books.
When the moon was ours wallpaper – I haven’t read When The Moon Was Ours yet but oh my gosh, these wallpapers are the cutest things in the world!
That’s it for this month! Tell me what went on in YOUR life this month! What sort of things were important for you this month? New obsessions? New TV shows? Or book? Any new song recs (I’m always open for new music!)? Best books you read this month?
as told by zaheerah 