Lately With Lila July 2021 | The Lazy, Hazy Dog Days Of Summer

Hello again, friends! How’s it going? I hope you’re doing well, and if not, I hope brighter days head your way soon!

Well well well, if it isn’t my good ol’ arch-enemy: the passage of time! Another month has flown by and have I gotten anything productive done? C’mon now, say it with me: no. *deep sigh*

Honestly, I feel like I am still suffering from a massive case of quarantine burnout and, lemme tell ya, friends, I. am. sick of it! Like, emotionally I am beyond ready to get up and get going with life but apparently my brain and body don’t agree with that sentiment seeing as I’m still not feelin’ it mentally and physically. Nevertheless she persisted. “She” being me, of course 😉

Anyhoo! I somehow managed to read a teeny tiny bit and I also watched some good shows and listened to some great music. So, friends, it’s time to get this wrap-up going and review my month!

what i posted

• Lately With Lila | June 2021
• The By The Book Tag

what i read

🐚 Aquicorn Cove by Kay O’Neill (★★★★☆) This was a cute little read with an awesome message about ocean conservation. It’s a Children’s graphic novel, so obviously it didn’t go that deep, but I think it was definitely entertaining enough to get kids interested in the topics of ocean conservation and environmentalism and that’s a win in my book!

what i’m currently reading

🐺 The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid (ARC) I’m moving through this one really slowly, but I am enjoying it overall, despite a few quibbles! I plan on reviewing this one, though, so I don’t want to give away too many of my thoughts just yet.

🧚‍♀️ These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan I’ve seen a lot of reviewers complain that this book was too cliché and trope-filled for them, but I’m actually really enjoying it so far? Granted, I didn’t go in with super high expectations and there may be something to be said about the idea that I need a light, fast paced, fluffy fantasy to help me through my current reading slump, but still!

🌳 The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson Lissen, y’all know I love the Truly Devious trilogy, so when I heard Johnson was set to release a spin-off companion sequel to the trilogy…let’s just say “i sprinted to the library to hit the books” would be putting it lightly. Fortunately for me, all five of the digital library systems that I’m a member of stocked a copy of the e-audiobook for The Box in the Woods on Libby! And so far I’m loving getting back to solving a gruesome murder mystery with with Stevie and the crew!

🌙 The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (ARC) So, this is an audio-ARC I got through Netgalley, but it’s also the only book I’ve been hesitant about really digging into because it seems really grim and spooky and dark and, um, hi, major scaredy cat here! That being said, despite my apprehension, I’ve taken the plunge and what I’ve read so far is actually pretty interesting!

what i plan on reading

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trope-ical readathon tbr

info here

Prompt	Alternate Prompt	TBR
Absent/Dead Parent(s)	A book published under a pseudonym	These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
Found Family	A buddy/group read	Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Coming of Age	A book whose protagonist is the same age as you	The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
Food Themed	A “meaty” book (a book under 500 pages)	House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Blast From The Past	A book published before 2000	A Sky Beyond The Storm by Sabaa Tahir
Mixed Media	Listen to an audiobook or read an ebook	A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
(Post)Apocalyptic	A book with fire on the cover	Lightbringer by Claire Legrand
Historical Figure	A book published in 021	Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
Happens All In One Day	Read a book in a single Day	Buffy The Vampire Slayer Vol. 2 by Jordie Bellaire and David Lopez
Multi-POV	A book with multiple characters of color	Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
New Kid In Town	A book from a genre you don’t usually read	The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
Retelling	A book that’s been adapted for film or TV	Cinderella is Dead by Kaylynn Bayron
Fantasy Team Challenge #1	A book featuring a dragons	Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
Fantasy Team Challenge #2	A book featuring a prophecy	For The Wolf by Hannah F. Whitten
Fantasy Group Read Challenge	N/A	She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

what i acquired from publishers

what i watched

gossip girl (2021 reboot)

I never watched the original Gossip Girl (which aired when I was in middle and high school), as I was never particularly interested in it, so when it was first revealed that HBO would be rebooting the show, I didn’t think much of it. Since the reboot aired, though, I’ve been hearing glowing audience reviews about how clever it is, so I decided to check it out. And you know what? I was pleasantly surprised! I have to agree that this reboot put a clever spin on the original and updated the concept to modern day very fluidly!

never have i ever season 1

I finally completed the first season of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and boy was it worth it! I’ve spoken before about my love for this show, so it was great to jump back into it. The final few episodes of season one were equally as heartbreaking, heartwarming, and heartfelt as I remember the first part of the season being and, well, friends, lets just say several tears were shed.

what i listened to

high notes

• “positions” by Ariana Grande Jumping off my enjoyment of HBO’s Gossip Girl reboot, the show actually used this song in a scene and I thought its usage really enhanced the feeling of the moment—and! In addition, it also really made me love this song, haha! (Side note: As a musician, I love when showrunners use music in a way that both enhances the cinematography and emotional tenor of a scene, as well as enhancing the emotional impact of the music itself. It’s like this nice little positive feedback loop that’s so incredibly satisfying!)
• “Aye” by Mereba Mereba is one of my all-time favorite musicians, so when I saw she had a new album out, I had to check it out! Honestly, the whole album is incredible and “Aye” is just one of the amazing tracks off it!
• “SWEET” by BROCKHAMPTON This song reminds me a lot of the sound of my hometown in a way I can’t edescribe? It’s just got that feeling for me, ya know? Definitely a new favorite song!

what i bookmarked

for readers

• In celebration of Disability Pride Month, Abby showed off 35 YA books with disability representation
• Tabby encouraged us to read books to help celebrate Disability Pride all year long
• J shared more of their research, this time focusing on children and diverse books, as well as on empathy
• Maria talked about dark reads and also about dark academia books on her TBR
• Cosette and Caitlyn recommended books based on your favorite song off of Taylor Swift’s folklore
• Andrea shared eight ways to read books for free
• Sofii shared her top five books with shocking and impressive writing styles
• Stephanie reported to us about reading five books that Goodreads recommended to her
• Cristina Monica spoke with author Katrina Leno about her recently published novel, Horrid
• Marie showcased ten YA books featuring enemies-to-lovers romances
• Mehek unraveled her thoughts on the topic of how much book endings should affect ratings
• Birdie interviewed Kat Zhao, the author of the upcoming dark academia thriller How We Fall Apart
• Jayati talked up her favorite tropes and books featuring them
• Anna highlighted July 2021 through December 2021 releases starring bi protagonists
• Ally reported to us about reading books Goodreads recommended to her
• Bertie recommended “unconventional” beach reads for fans of fantasy, sci fi, and horror
• Briana discussed how book synopses set reader expectations and why that matters

for bloggers

• Malka wondered, “Is blogger burnout inevitable?“
• Kal shared 10 affiliate programs for book bloggers

for fun

• Sarah shared what disabled people wish abled people could understand
• Shaniya broke down the stereotype of the Black “oreo” (Video)

what i did in july 2021

July had its ups and downs, but it was mostly just pretty chill. In all honesty, I didn’t do much and the whole month seemed to fly by in a blur. It really was just, like, the lazy days of summer out here. Not much more to say about it.

what i plan on doing in august 2021

Well, my college’s Fall 2021 begins August 23, but I’m hoping to have some fun before that. My best friend recently moved back to my area, so I plan on spending plenty of time with her, and between the county fair, outdoor movies, sunset dance classes by the river, and more, I think we’ll be having a blast! I’m also working on a long term ✨secret photography project✨ and so continuing to plan for that should be plenty fun! Bottom line: I plan on making the most of this August before I head back to school!

spill the beans, friends!

• How was your July?
• Did you read anything that stood out?
• Do you have anything in this upcoming August that you’re looking forward to?