Say hey! I’m into the hundredth week of Retrospect! I didn’t actually write a hundred Retrospect posts since I bundled quite a number of them into double, triple and even quadruple(!) editions. But point is, a hundred weeks have at least sort of been accounted for. For someone who’s never been good at regularly updating a diary, I call this an achievement.
In My Life
The Replacement of my Phone
Last week I sent my iPhone for servicing because the top left corner of my screen was basically a black shadow. My warranty was about to expire mid-December, so I had to get something done about my phone as soon as possible. After Apple spent five days evaluating my device, they decided to replace it rather than to repair it for me. This means I received a replacement and an additional 90 days of warranty.
I’m happy. Phone’s working and looks as good as new because there aren’t any scratches (yet). Most importantly, I’m connected to the world again. Also, my navigation system’s back in hand. I rely so much on the bus and subway apps to get me round because with so many new service additions, you never know if a quicker way has emerged to reach my destinations.
Food
Zesty lemon madeleines
My oven was hard at work again this week. I baked zesty lemon madeleines. They’re a little on the sour side, better suited for people who love pure citrus. Like my dad. He loved them. For the rest of us, I intend to halve the lemon juice during my next attempt.
Double chocolate rum mascarpone cupcake
I also got creative with my first use of a new muffin tin that I recently bought. My old one has been MIA for at least a year, possibly more. With these delectable cupcakes, I don’t know how I managed to go so long without a tin for these mini cakes!
Book Haul
My acquisition of books is slowing down, which is good. That’s the plan so that the rate of the books I own and have actually read has a hope of ever exceeding 50%. That’s a goal I want to set myself for 2016.
Anyway, I ordered Silber: Das zweite Buch der Träume by Kerstin Gier from The Silver Trilogy. I bought the third book in Switzerland at the beginning of the month, skipping the second because it was cheaper on Book Depository. I was also afraid that if I waited too long, I’d have a gaping out-of-print hole in the series.
Another arrival was Tonight the Streets are Ours by Leila Sales. I received it for review purposes and look more than forward to reading this. I adored This Song will Save Your Life by Leila Sales, so I have high hopes for this new book of hers.
On the Blog
ICYMI: Win 3 Books by Chantel Guertin
You can win 3 books by Chantel Guertin in the photo contest I’m hosting. I had the honour of interviewing Chantel Guertin (via email). Since I love photography and the Pippa Greene series revolves around photography, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a photo contest. The winner will receive the first three books in the series as a prize. Click here for more details.
Book Review
Retellings are all the rage these days. A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston delivers. Not only that, it has such lyricism, I was enthralled.
Blog Posts
Now that I have my phone back, I was able to tackle the common question, Is a DSLR necessary for book photography? I took photos of the same set-up with my iPhone 6 and Nikon DSLR to determine this. I also introduced the friends I met at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2015.
Regular features that I posted this week were:
Around the Blogosphere
When I opened up my feeds to sift out discussions, tutorials, etc, I was greeted by the return of Jess from My Reading Dress and Dana from The Unprinted Protagonist. They’re two of my favourite bloggers and I definitely recommend following these two lovely ladies!
Books
- Rosie @ Rosie Reads yearned for the future and compiled books that release in 2017.
- Michelle @ A Thousand Lives Lived wrote a letter to her favourite books.
- Josie @ Josie’s Book Corner strongly opposed sex in novels.
- Cait @ Paper Fury discussed, how relatable do book characters need to be? as well as, what is the worst character death?
Genre
- Kaylie @ Potterhead Reviews quit reading 5 genres.
Readers’ Lives
- Ella guest posted at Chasing Faerytales, questioning if we actually like waiting for books to come out.
- Lili @ Lili’s Reflections penned down her Black Friday observations at Barnes and Nobles.
- Lola @ Lola’s Ramblings shared all the places she likes to read at.
- Kaja @ Of Dragons and Hearts thought about why she hardly gives authors second chances.
- Nuzaifa @ Word Contessa dedicated a letter to readers.
- Silvara @ Fantasy of the Silver Dragon was curious, Do you cry when reading?
- Jen @ The Bookavid paved the way to realistically reducing your TBR (to be read) pile.
Publishing
- Lili @ Lili’s Reflections ruminated about what she learned as an intern at the Viking imprint of Penguin Random House.
- Briana @ Pages Unbound gave tips on where to find publishing internships.
Blogging
- Angelina & Briana @ Otakutwins Reviews are hosting The YA Book Blogger Awards. Be sure to nominate your favourite bloggers in the various categories!
- Amanda @ The Mile Long Bookshelf explained why and how to remove broken links.
- Vlora @ Reviews and Cake wondered if book bloggers are targetting the wrong audience.
- Amanda @ Nellie and Co. noted 5 reasons she gets put off particular blogs.
- Jeann @ Happy Indulgence implored bloggers to remember why they started.
- Harvey @ Bookmarked was the voice of reason, stating that taking a blogging break won’t kill you (or your blog).
- Jessica @ Bookish Serendipity posted a checklist for rocking that blog post.
- Tiffany @ About to Read explained how to take advantage of editorial calendars.
All your food photos make me crave dessert, Josephine, and these two are no exception! :D Glad you were able to get your iPhone replaced and extra warranty. Woohoo!
Alexa S. recently posted Not-So-Secret Santa Mini Challenge
Hi, thanks for the mention! :) I think this is my first time on your blog and it’s GORGEOUS.
Hm, as for the Thanksgiving part … I’m grateful for my family, for comfort reads that make me feel good, and the fact that the bookish community is amazing and I’ve found my people here. :)
I’m also trying to read more books that I already own – it’s a huge problem with me. I think if I stopped buying books altogether and just read what I have at home, I’d be good for about a year or two at least. But yeah, I just ordered some new ones yesterday…
Kaja recently posted Second Chances
Yay for new phones! Mine’s been acting up lately and since I really on my phone to take all my book pictures I must upgrade soon. :) Speaking of book photography, your DSLR VS. SMARTPHONE CAMERA was great-I think with enough lighting and some practice, a phone is perfectly adequate. Although LORD, that bokeh effect alone is worth the DSLR. XD
…and YUM. The madeleines and cupcakes look positively smashing! You should consider sharing your recipies, at least on life revel. ;)
And I adored The Wrath and the Dawn so hearing that A Thousand Nights is better makes me wanna go buy it now! But ARGH being responsible & whatnot. :'(
Thanks for the link up, love. & congrats on your 100th retrospect! <3
Nuzaifa @ Word Contessa recently posted A Letter To (Magical) Readers
Pssst. iPhones take great photos! ;) I adopted an iPod touch in 2008 & then my first iPhone in 2010. Been a happy camper since. Plus, their customer support’s pretty good. The replacement kinda makes up for not having a phone for five days. Haha.
I’m glad you found my DSLR & smartphone comparison useful! Of course, there’s so much more you can do with a DSLR, but it’s really not necessary to take quality bookstagram photos.
I just love your pictures. The food ones are making me drooooool. Congrats on your 100th (sort of) Retrospect post! ;D
I’m pretty satisfied with my lack of books coming in as well. Let’s me focus on the books I *do* have. I was starting to get overwhelmed there for a while, because I still have a lot of eGalleys to read, so I need to keep my paws out of the bookstores! XD
Rosie @ Rosie Reads recently posted Review (92): Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Thank you!! Hahaha. We love books so much and yet celebrate when fewer books come our way. But yes, it’s nice to focus on the books we already have and not be distracted by new ones for a while.
I’m glad you have a shiny (not quite) new phone again!
Thanks for sharing the YA Book Blogger Awards post, I hadn’t seen that. (I voted for you for best design. :P) I also had forgotten to read the post about sex in books, which someone sent me earlier this week. It was…interesting.
I know this is super cheesy, but I really am grateful for book bloggers like you so I always have someone to talk books with! (And baking, haha.) :D
Awww. Thank you, Maraia! <3 I'm grateful for you too. You make sure I never feel like I'm talking into a void!
Oh that is so cool they replaced your phone! WOOT. And I’m drooling over those photos…particularly the cake on. UM, YUUUUUM. *tries to remember just had breakfast* XD That is an excellent goal for 2016 though. ;) I had a kind of goal to only have 7 books on my TBR at once in 2015. Ha..hahhah. Yeah, no. But I mean, I haven’t been nearly as overwhelmed by books as I was in 2014!! SO. Hopefully I’ll continue to be restrained in 2016. XD (Hopefully…) And congrats on 100(sortof) posts!! THAT IS AMAZING GO YOU!! :D
Cait @ Paper Fury recently posted How Relatable Do Book Characters Need To Be?
THANK YOU, CAIT! And yep, I’m so thankful they did! Kinda makes up for the five days that I was phoneless. Lol. You? Overwhelmed? You gobble so many books, it’s hard to imagine you overwhelmed!