the end is nigh! | lately with lila november & december 2023
Hey there, dear friends! I hope you’re doing well, and if you aren’t I hope brighter days head your way soon!
Welcome to 2024, friends πππ Can you believe we made it?!!! Phew, there were a couple of times last year that it seemed like a close one, but here we all are—give yourself a pat on the back for making it through!
RESOURCES TO HELP CHANGE THE WORLD
Before anything: FREE PALESTINE!!! π For over half a century now, the Israeli government has been enacting a genocide against the Palestinian people. This is more than something that started on October 7, 2023. Itβs not complicated. Itβs genocide. And itβs important that we witness, raise our voices, protest, and fight against it in any way possible. Below are a list of resources to help educate yourself on Palestine, as well as to donate to aid the Palestinian people. In addition, Iβve added some Palestinian influencers and journalists you can follow to learn more from and who keep track of whatβs going on. Peace to all and keep fighting the good fight!
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
AID AND ASSISTANCE DONATION RESOURCES
JOURNALISTS & INFLUENCERS
- Motaz (journalist)
- Bisan / Her Backup Account (journalist)
- Plestia (journalist)
- Subhi (influencer)
FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE βπΌβπΌβπΌ
The last two months of 2023 were so ridiculously hectic for me—I was running around like a chicken without its head!! I had two exams and two essays in November, immediately followed by finals the first week of December and then right into the holiday season. Somehow I managed to survive and finish three books, a TV series, and a podcast! What a whirlwind, though!!
But enough of my gabbing, let’s check out what went down in December and November of 2023…
what i posted
what i read
πͺSabrina The Teenage With Vol. 1 by Kelly Thompson (βββ) I started this comic bindup a long time ago (like…two or three years ago…*hides*) but I decided it was time to finish it up, since I only had, like, 30% left to read. It wasn’t my favorite rendition of Sabrina—then again, I was introduced to the TV version of Sabrina The Teenage Witch as a kid and fell in love with that version (and later fell in love with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s rendition even more). It was a fun ride, but was weak on plot and relied on readers’ familiarity with the characters instead of really breathing life into them. So, ultimately…meh *shrugs*
βοΈSquire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Al Fageeh (βββ.5) I’ve been a longtime fan of Al Fageeh’s artwork, so when I saw that her and Shammas’s graphic novel was on Hoopla, you can bet I clicked that “borrow” button faster than the speed of light! Ultimately, I think the themes in this book were strong, but the story was weak and the ending was quite open, leading to it being slightly disatisfying (depending on your views on open endings, obviously). I wish this was the start of a series, cause I think it was a great jumping off point, but unfortunately I think it’s a standalone (for now at least). Anyhoo, if you’re looking for YA fantasy and/or graphic novels by Palestinian authors then this is a great choice regardless!
πHeartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman (ββββ) I love this adorable webcomic-turned-graphic novel series (which is available in entirety online for free, fyi), so it’s definitely no surprise that the third volume of Heartstopper was a hit for me! In addition to squealing over Nick and Charlie, I also loved getting to know their friends better too—and, of course, seeing the gang’s Parisian adventures!
what i’m currently reading
βChain of Gold by Cassandra Clare Tbh, I haven’t been feelin’ Cassie Clare’s books in recent years, but the only one of her currently released series (that I haven’t read) that I’m interested in is The Last Hours so I decided to take a chance on it. I’ve only just begun Chain of Gold, but so far I’m surprised to say that I’m actually really enjoying it?
π‘οΈThe Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi I also started this book and have quickly fallen for it! It’s fast paced and full of intrigue, with interesting and complex characters—a perfect recipe for a reader such as myself!!
what i watched
πThe Wheel of Time Season 2 (ββββ) This past December I finished up watching the second season of The Wheel of Time, and it was soooooo awesome! As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve never read the books that the show is adapted from, but as a fantasy TV series on its own, The Wheel of Time really shines! That said, after the season finale I’m really curious to see where the series go since many of the plotlines completely wrapped up, but a new plotline seems to be brewing. I enjoyed season two so much and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
what i listened to
π¦ Birds of Empire Season 1 (βββββ) I finally finished off the first season of this absolutely EXCELLENT sci fi/fantasy audiodrama podcast and what a ride! I love this podcast so much and I’m so happy and excited that it’s returned for season 2, since it left off on an intriguing cliffhanger!
what i bookmarked
Geetanshi shared her favorite disbility accessible indie bookstores in San Fransisco
Alina talked about booktok and overconsumption (Video)
Molly put together a bookish gift guide for Winter 2023
Neide went over the 30 oldest backlog books on her TBR
Morgan rated bookish things out of 10
Elli recommended books to read after watching Sex Education
Rosina highlighted trans and nonbinary romance novels
Delaney shined a light on romance novels set in the publishing industry
J.D. gave us a guide to Holly Black’s books
Sofi paired coffee and book recommendations to celebrate her blogiversary
Zalia taught us about six types of librarians (and which we’re most likely to be)
Leonie discussed the character evolution of The Hunger Games‘s (President) Coriolanus Snow and how it’s an exploration of human nature (Video)
Sofia shared must-read short books under 250 pages
Peat discussed fantasy and whores
Ruby interviewed author Ashley Poston
T.K. showed off bookstagram accounts she loves and announced her 24 For 2024 Reading Challenge
Jan highlighted several 2024 releases to add to your TBR, in additionn to showing off her favorite book characters of 2023
Zainab also spotlighted 2024 releases to get excited for
Michelle raved over books she read in 2023 that emotionally wrecked her and paired books with her top songs of 2023
Charvi explained why she doesn’t keep track of new book releases
Nefeli matched books with her Spotify Wrapped character
Marie reflected on nine years of book blogging
Sumedha celebrated her blogging journey across the last eight years
Rosina checked out Spotify Premium’s audiobook offerings
Elaine created a board game for romance books
Veronica shouted out Winter 2023-2024 releases by Asian authors and recommended YA books featuring Desi weddings
Mesal shined a light on 12 must-read underrated sci fi/fantasy books
Amanda talked about how revolutions transcend time and history is now
Kristin told us all about fantasy romance books releasing in 2024
Jen listed her most anticipated fantasy books releasing in 2024
Shannen lamented the mood reader sturggle
Kal shared her free 2024 Ultimate Book Blogger/Reader Spreadsheet
Alli gabbed about her opinions on popular booktok books
Naemi’s paired weird duoloingo sentences with Christmas book recommendations
Ellyn showed off her 2024 reading Notion templates
what life’s like lately
looking back at november 2023
Between everything life threw at me, November was yet another whirlwind of a month! It started off with a physics exam and ended with another one, both of which were pretty difficult. Between those two exams I also had to turn in two essays. So, as you can see, my school life was pretty busy. Somehow, I managed to to go on a date, get together with a friend, and celebrate my birthday, though, all of which was very fun! First up, my date and I went to The Museum of African Art, which was a really beautiful experience especially since both my date and I are Black American. Next up, I got together with my good friend and we went to two bookstores and got lunch together! We had a great time catching up and exploring the bookstore together. Then, there was also the holiday break, which lead to eating lots of declicious food, including roast lamb and my favorite stuffing dish that isnt really studding but thats just wha we call it? It’s a dish made of wild rice and brown rice cooked with vegetable broth and added to sauteed red onion, celery, apples, zucchini, almond slivers, and black olives. I cannot stress how delicious it is, lol!! Finally, my 29th birthday was on November 28. I didn’t do much in the way of celebration since I had a dress rehearsal that day and a physics exam on the following day, but it was nice to get some little presents.
looking back at december 2023
This past holiday-filled month immediately kicked off with finals week. My final research paper was due in my English course on December 5th, followed immedately by my final physics exam on December 6th, then—at long last!—I was let off for a month of sweet freedom! After that point, December was actually full of lots of fun shenanigans! My Physics I classmates and I went out for dinner then spontaneously decide to go ice skating afterward. And, I also went out to brunch with a date twice, which was really fun (and delicious). Of course, there was Christmas, but this year the holiday rather quiet for me. The year ended with a bang, though, because I attended a New Year’s Eve party with friends from my Physics I course, which was so much fun!! All in all, it was a month of making memories and I really enjoyed it!
looking ahead to january 2024
January brings the return of college smack dab in the middle of the month. I’m planning on retaking a Calculus II class with one of my friends who was my regular study partner this past semester in Physics I, and, of course, I’ll be taking my regular Choral class again. Besides that, I’ve yet to figure out what I want my third class to be. I dropped my physics major and decided to focus on anthropology, so I actually have to reevaluate my semesterly plans for the rest of my degree. But once I figure that out, I should be all set! I’ve also got a tutor for Calculus II who I’ll be seeing twice a week, and my study group plans on meeting at least once a week, so already the upcoming months are looking pretty jam packed! In terms of fun, non-school related stuff, some of my friends and I might go hiking, which I haven’t done since I was a literal child but am still looking forward to! Of course, I’m sure more fun activities and events will come up soon enough, but for now that’s all!
spill the beans, friends!
- How was your November and December of 2023?
- Is there anything you’re looking forward to this upcoming January?
- Do you have any New Year’s resolutions, bookish or otherwise?
It sounds like you had a really fun November and December! Happy new year!
Thanks for dropping by, Delaney! My winter has definitely been full of things, events, and people I’m grateful for. I hope your holiday season went well and Happy New Year to you as well!!
I hope you had a good start into 2024! π I really enjoyed reading the newest Heartstopper volume π₯° I’m glad to hear that you managed to get through your exams and had a good time with your friends!
Thank you so much, Caro <3 I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Heartstopper Vol. 5—I'm definitely looking forward to reading volumes 4, 5, and eventually 6! I hope the beginning of this year has been good to you as well!