A Paris-Inspired Reading List

Ramadan has always been a great ally when it comes to reaching my reading goals and this year is no different. When I'm not catching up with my favorite series or annoying the hell out of my husband, I am usually just curled up in a ball silently reading a book, which is quite nice to be honest. One look in my already-filled up bookshelf however, and it's become more obvious that space would really pose a huge problem for us if I don't stop acquiring more books. Yes, I've amassed quite a home library in our five-year stay here in Dubai, but this bookworm just couldn't bring herself to stop. And no, this isn't me complaining at all. :)

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Best Winter Reading List

If you're following me on Instagram, you might have noticed that a huge chunk of my posts are regularly dedicated to my reading list. Books I've read, currently reading, recently purchased, favorites — all those booknerd jazz. Like it's not obvious enough, yes, I joined the #bookstagram community, and the nerd in me has been having a ball. There's just so many creative readers all over the world who not only give out amazing book recommendations, but are sort of inspiring me to just keep on reading.

For the busy bookworms like me, here are five books (technically six since I count Jenny Han's books as one) that I've recently finished reading and enjoying, as we start welcoming the cooler season around these parts. Don't expect a bunch of literary masterpieces though. These are mostly light reads and some I even managed to devour just in one sitting. Enjoy!

Sometimes it really bugs me that Dubai is always one of the late places to snag copies of my favorite authors' latest works. Same was the case for Sophie Kinsella's Finding Audrey. I was almost thisclose to ordering a copy online, but good thing I waited. Just a bit bummed that the one I got wasn't a paperback though. I realized just how much I've missed reading Sophie Kinsella after reading this book. Weird characters coupled with her charming humor and incredibly heartwarming plot, I gotta say this is one of the better Kinsella books there is.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell did not disappoint and I seriously couldn't put it down once I started reading. I'm fangirling so hard because of this book! I was giggling like a teenager with a crush and squealing like a piglet all throughout. I swear I can read this book over and over again. My heart is screaming loudly for a sequel! Everything about this book is cute and adorable. Nothing new about the story's characters and plot, but there's something about Rowell's style that just nails it every single time. I enjoyed it so much and I bet you would too.

Oh Mindy, what did you do to me? To be quite honest, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling is all over the place, but it's hysterical enough to make it to this list. She's an awesome combo of smart and funny. Definitely the kind of friend you would love to hang out with. Not sure if this book would pass as an autobiography (they say it is), but the humor and wit of her life's observations, opinions, and anecdotes are just spot on. Absolutely adore her now. 

Sophia Amoruso's #Girlboss book is so in your face, I love it. Her writing style might seem a bit intimidating and Johnny Bravoish to others, but I really enjoyed her honest voice. How she's overcome challenges and her impressive success in business (being the founder of Nasty Gal) is something to be really admired. The book is inspiring, funny at times, and gives quite a handful of tips and tricks to unleash someone's potential in the world of business or just life in general. Pictured on top are two bookmarks I received as Egypt souvenirs from the living #girlboss I know, Ann.

I picked up Jenny Han's P.S. I Still Love You because I couldn't get over its pretty cover. It's already way too late when I realized that it's a sequel, so I ended up reading the e-book of To All The Boys I've Loved Before sent to me by my friend Marbz. But of course I just had to get the paperback version last week when I saw it in Borders because its cover looks pretty too (I know, I have a problem). To be honest, there were so many points in the books that I wanted to strangle the main character's neck because of her stupidity, but I got to admit that I still enjoyed Han's two novels a lot. A whole lot. It's light, sweet, somewhat relatable, and will make you remember how nice it is to be young again.

It's a Saturday night and I can't believe the weekend is almost over.  I was out with the husband last night watching the band Blue perform here in Dubai and spent the entire day today arranging furniture, setting up the Christmas tree, and cooking. How did you spend yours?

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Best Summer Reading List

Hello everyone! August is almost around the corner and can I just say I would really miss the month of July like crazy? This has been one of my most favorite months ever for a number of good reasons. Ramadan being on top it, because it essentially meant shorter office timings, lighter work load, more quality family time, and reading (lots and lots of reading) in this part of the world. Seriously,  I have read the most number of books the past month and my dorky little bookworm heart couldn't be more glad. It's an incredible new record for me!

It took me some time to finally manage to narrow down this list to only six books. My initial plan was only five but the other book just had to make the cut. It would be a shame not to include it. So here's my list of Six Best Summer Reads in no particular order.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt is a very recent purchase. I've mentioned on a previous Wishlist Wednesday post how much I've been lemming to get my hands on this book for the longest time, so imagine my joy when the friendly people from Borders Ibn Battuta told me that they managed to get me a fresh copy. The internet is brimming with positive feedbacks for this book and now I just couldn't agree with every single one of them. I still have a few chapters left to read to be honest, but I've already cried major buckets for this. That has never happened to me before, so it truly deserves to be on this list. It's so beautifully written. A real must-read!

Fangirl has solidified my growing love for writer Rainbow Rowell. Her books have really captured a huge chunk of the most booknerdigan recesses of my heart and brain, it's ridiculous. I seriously wanna be BFF's with her so bad. She's like a girl after my own heart and I feel like I can hang out with her inside a coffee shop all day, without being bored. I think I'll even enjoy just hearing her talk all day. This novel was such a charming read. Feel-good and relatable with some of the most endearing book characters ever! I said it once and I'll say it again: Rowell just made it to my auto buy list of authors. Love her to bits!

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver, I Married You For Happiness by Lily Tuck and All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven were admittedly mere book cover buys. I was such a typical magpie when I saw these books on shelves. Just had to grab them because they look so beautiful and I gotta say it was worth it.

All three books shared the same melancholic, depressing and heart-wrenching theme that got me hooked until the last page. I even found myself pausing in between chapters just to stare silently outside the window to sigh and think about all those little (and even big things) that make me sad, make my heart break, and make my tears fall. I know. I'm a freak like that, and I love it.

Lily Tuck's novel in particular got me so bad maybe all for purely sentimental reasons. I was a tearful mess just after finishing only the first paragraph. Only! If you've ever lost a loved one or someone very close to you, you'll know what I mean. Tuck's writing style is flawless and she made me remember the kind of writer I forgot I wanted to become when I was a little girl. Her words are intricately woven, it's almost poetry. Brilliant book indeed!

We Were Liars almost didn't make this list but I just had to include it because E. Lockhart nailed the ending like how a winning author should. The ending was incredibly thought of eventhough her writing style was just all over the place. I've never been this annoyed reading a book because it took some time getting used to her style of words (or metaphors). What was real and what was just on the main character's head got so complicatedly messed up, it's not funny anymore. I'm no longer sure if the book's stupid or plain genius. Got caught in between, so I just had to mention this book.

So there, my top summer reads!

I will be disgustingly occupied next month for sure so I don't think I can read as much books. Still on the look out for amazing books to read though, so let me know what books you've read or been reading lately. 

It's so much fun being a book dork!

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Brandnew books for Snow White

To say that last Christmas was extra generous to my Snow White bookcase with all the new books I've received from friends and loved ones would be an understatement. I got not only one, but seven amazing books in total! Looks like I have more than enough reason to put on my reading glasses and give time for my favorite hobby this time around. :)

This A Little Course in Baking book would have to be my favorite from my books loot this year. It's been quite a while since the last time I put on my imaginary baker's hat and I've really been itching to get back into baking soon to whip up sweet treats again for my loved ones.

I couldn't help but do a little excited squeal when I got these two babies (Sophie Kinsella's I've Got Your Number and Can You Keep a Secret?) from my girlfriends. Kinsella is an all-time favorite chic-lit writer extraordinaire of mine. She's always been my go-to author when I need to unwind and not think about life's everyday stress and worry. Her books make the best light reads, are super funny, and very relatable too. It's like watching a feel-good rom-com movie, but a whole lot better of course.

George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire's series looks oh so fancy-schmancy nestled in my bookcase, don't you think? So happy that I finally got my hands on this series. The boyfriend got me the first four books and I can't wait to devour them.

Just found out the other day that my sister and brother-in-law are already bent on naming their first baby Daenerys (supposedly after one of the coolest Game of Thrones' characters) and I simply don't get it. Not even sure how to pronounce the name correctly to be honest. I know. I'm really THAT clueless! Haha! Way too late to get into the hype for sure, but better late than never, right? Even my minions look victorious on the photo.

What are your favorites from all the gifts you received last Christmas?

Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend! :)

 

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My Snow White Bookcase

I just finished one of my very first mini projects in the new apartment. Finally painted my dull-looking brown bookcase in white and I really love how it turned out. Sadly, I forgot to take a decent "before" photo to share, but you'll have an idea how brown it used to look like in this post. I was too excited that I started painting right away and at long last after three days, it's all MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. :)

To be honest, my paint job wasn't really flawless, but I'm beyond proud that this piece now blends seamlessly with the rest of my furniture and also looks clean and very easy on the eyes no matter how many stuff I shove inside it. Planning to fill up my Snow White baby with lots and lots of books. I know this one would be an even harder task to complete considering how pricey books cost in this part of the globe, so for now it's where I'm storing some of the random trinkets I collect. Here are a few shots of my new favorite spot in my apartment:

Sorry if these photos look odd. I've been trying out this HRD imaging method a lot these days that plays out with the contrast of the photos I take. I think it looks kinda cool and artistic. :)

Is there any particular furniture or piece in your home you wanna revamp? Are you working on any home projects right now? 

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26 Books & Summer style love

My bookshelf is feeling all filled up and happy these past couple of weeks ever since I discovered this secondhand bookshop inside Ace Hardware (of all places!). It now boasts some more new book titles I got at a dirt-cheap price, which I plan on devouring all summer and the upcoming month of Ramadan. This summer has been pretty hectic and I can't wait to finally have some quiet time to rest and go back to my love for the printed word. 

I'm currently halfway through Sophie Kinsella's The Undomestic Goddess by the way. I hope I get to finish one of my New Year's goals: Read atleast 26 books before I turn 27 this December. Fortunately, things seem to be looking up in this department and I couldn't be happier.

Speaking of summer, Felissimo's catalog got me so in love. I am digging their summer collection's cardigans, loose tops and long skirts a lot! The texture, styling, colors and practically everything about their photographs are so laid-back, relaxed and fun. This is exactly what summer is all about.

Are you enjoying the summer season? :)

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