August Challenge Day 2

Happy Wednesday!

I hope you've been having a lovely week so far.

I realise this update is coming a day late, but this might happen a few times during this challenge, depending on when I'm able to really sit down and write I suppose.

So it's already the evening of the 3rd of August and I've only just finished my second book. Oops.

Actually I did read Volume 3 of Akatsuki No Yona yesterday, so I suppose I just finished my third book, but if I count it like that, this blog will just be a month of me reading the next volume of Akatsuki No Yona, which is boring.

Besides, the whole point of this challenge is so that I actually make a dent in my (unnecessarily and embarrassingly long) TBR, which includes a lot of review copies I haven't gotten around to.

So, day 2.

Yesterday, as I had planned, I began reading A Magic Steeped in Poison, by Judy I. Lin. This was a book I was so excited to read, and was over the moon I was sent an advanced copy of by the publisher.

I'll be honest - it took me a while to really get into this book. It started off a bit slow and world-buildy (is that a word?) which I suppose is usual for a fantasy, but it's just not really my usual kind of book.

I was so intrigued by this magic system based on tea (who wouldn't be?) but I sadly just didn't love it as much as I wanted to.

Having said that, I did love the middle of the book. Things were getting interesting and magic-y (again, a word?) but then it just got a little too complicated for me. I'm sure if I was in the mood to read a super complicated and full-on book, this would have been great. But I think I was just expecting something a bit cosier when I heard about this magical tea competition.

I think that was the reason why it took me so long, but never mind. I'm off to read another book and see if I can distract myself.

I also DNFd When Women Were Dragons, today. I had been reading it for like a month and finally realised I was just not getting into the writing style. The book and the plot seemed so interesting, and I loved how the whole thing was a metaphor and could probably talk about how cool the concept is for ages, but at the end of the day I just couldn't find myself invested enough.

On another note, I have previously mentioned that I handed in my notice at work, and today was my second-to-last shift and my last shift with my manager so I'm feeling a little sad. It was sad saying the goodbyes, but I know I'll be back there soon.

Now I realise you might be wondering why I am sad and not over the moon to leave my job, and it's because I love my job. I don't regret the fact that I'm leaving, because I'm leaving to focus on my business and my writing full-time and I'm very excited and proud of myself, but that doesn't change the fact that I will miss my amazing colleagues and even most of my lovely customers.

I'll probably be back there every other week, just to buy more books if nothing else even though I really shouldn't be buying anymore books, but it was still a little emotional.

I think I'll just go chill out, now. I might read a nice middle grade and play some Stardew Valley or something :)

Thanks for reading!

See you soon for the next update,

Maya xx