Hello, hello! These are certainly not the circumstances I had expected to be writing this post under at the end of the month, but such is life. We must move forward! (Or, in this case, back for a tiny second!) Here’s what I was up to in March:
A silver-lining in all of this pandemic chaos? I’ve had the tiniest chance to read more because I’m taking my law school classes online at home now.
- Longbourn by Jo Baker
- Educated by Tara Westover
- The Right Side of History by Ben Shapiro
- Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
- My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
- The Pale King by David Foster Wallace
- Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
It’s a tough decision because I read a lot of really great books this month that I had been looking forward to, but I think my favorite was My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan. I’ll be posting a full review soon, but for now I’ll just say that it brought back SO many memories from when I studied abroad at Oxford and was just so funny and witty and romantic and well written and excellent. It was everything I needed during this tumultuous time.
Well, life has been quite chaotic lately, albeit a strangely calm chaotic because I’ve just been in my house for weeks and haven’t seen anyone besides my family. I’m incredibly fortunate to have been able to move back home to finish out this law school semester because my school switched to all online classes. Personally I’m not a huge fan of online classes from a learning standpoint, but they’re definitely the best solution in terms of keeping people safe and healthy.
As someone who likes to plan, I hate how uncertain life is right now. What’s going to happen tomorrow? What will the numbers be? When will it all return to a sense of normalcy again? When will I be able to see my friends? Will I be able to work at my internship this summer? And, of course, the underlying worry of Will I get sick??? It’s difficult to focus on law school work in the midst of all of these questions, but I’m very grateful that I still have some sort of structure and routine in my life.
Blogging and being part of the bookstagram community has also helped immensely. Social media can get pretty frustrating during times like these, so it’s a relief to have an online space that is just dedicated to books. ❤ I’ve also switched up the theme of my bookstagram and I’m so pleased with how it’s turning out thus far!
I haven’t really had the chance to blog hop all that much this month, but it’s a goal of mine for April!
Here are some of my favorite posts from my blog this past month:
- Dear 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff: YOU MAKE MY INNER BOOKWORM SO HAPPY.
- 8 Tips for Being a Student When You’re Social-Distancing
- (many, many) books about dealing with and overcoming uncertainty
- Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Signs You’re a Book Lover…In Law School
How was your month of March? How has your life changed since all of this happened? What was the best book you read? Did you do anything really fun or exciting? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
Nut Free Nerd 
Hi, these are certainly unsettled times aren’t they? There’s never been a better time to blog though in my opinion! I wonder what the situation will be twelve months from now … I hope that the risks will have gone by then 🤍
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Looks like you had quite a good reading month!
I totally feel you on the planning part! I love planning my life in advance, bt these times make it a bit hard..
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Definitely!! Hope you’re well, and happy April!
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Something looks different… I love it! The books sound great, Educated has been on my tbr for a while, but with everything closed I don’t know how long it’ll be before I can get anything from the library. 😦
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Thank you!! Oh no! I feel that too… I’ve been debating ordering some more books but I don’t really want to spend the extra money in times like these if I don’t have to. Hope you’re well!
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Glad you’re been able to read more at least in this crazy time!
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Thank you! Hope you’re well!
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Looking forward to reading your review of My Oxford Year! It looks really cute (I love these kinds of covers) 😍 Life has defo been super hectic worldwide but one perk is definitely more reading time! Hope you continue to enjoy your reads/reading time!
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Definitely!! We could all use a good book right about now haha 🙂 Happy April!
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Great month! I’ve only read Educated and Call Down the Hawk from your list, but I loved both of them. Stay well, and Happy Reading!
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Thank you!! I really enjoyed both of them!! Hope you’re well!
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i definitely agree that online school isn’t the best for actual learning! i really love online learning because of the way it helps with my mental health, but it’s definitely hard to actually learn material
i hope you have a great april!!
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Definitely! It is nice to stay home though, I missed my mom’s cooking haha ❤ Hope you have a lovely April as well!
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Hi Holly! I’m glad you’ve been getting more to read because so am I. How are you doing with law school though? My uni has been doing online classes and I like them because it keeps me busy but I absolutely hate not being there in person and I just miss my campus and friends. Other than that, everything has been fine. I have my up and down days 🙂
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Hello!! My online classes have been going okay, they just changed everything to pass/fail which is such a relief. I definitely miss my friends and going to actual class in person though! I’m so glad to hear that you are well!! I hope you have a lovely April! 🙂
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I can relate to how you feel with the uncertainty of things right now. I am two weeks into online classes, and I prefer in-person classes so much more. I dislike having to spend so many hours of the day in front of the computer, but I’m glad that schools have taken action to do what is safest for the students and the general population. I also love what you’ve done to your bookstagram account! :)) Hope you have a lovely and safe April.
claire @ clairefy
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I’m so glad you can relate too, and that you’re doing well! Also, thank you so much!! ❤ Hope you have a good April as well!
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I’m glad you’re doing okay. Doing all your classes online must be strange!
I am furloughed from work (with 80% pay, fortunately) for the foreseeable, so for the first time in a lot of years I’ve suddenly got a lot of time on my hands. I have no idea how to handle it! Mostly I’ve just been reading (shocker)
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Oh wow! That’s good that there’s 80% pay! Online classes are very strange. I keep waiting to get used to everything but it just never really clicks… so wild that this is all happening!
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Ah Holly, I know what you mean about online learning. It’s been a struggle for me because my school’s been conducting days off to distribute technology to students who don’t have it and then there’s also been miscommunication with professors, it’s truly a rough time for educators, students, healthcare workers, and the like. I do hope you stay healthy and safe and have a lovely April (well, as lovely as you can have it be lol)
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I hope you have a good April as well, and that you’re safe and healthy! 💕
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