Sometimes, We Need A Break...|| Life Update & Revival

Hello!

I have to admit, it's a little weird being back here. It's been over a year...nearly two since I last signed on to this blog, and a lot has happened since 2017. The reason I stopped posting here was simply because...well, I wasn't reading. And reading is kind of vital for a book blog.

I hit a massive bout of low energy. I had no motivation, no interest in reading. It made me sad, of course it did, reading had been something that I had loved doing my whole life, and there I was at 19 giving up on my favourite passtime, just because I couldn't be bothered. This blog became a hidden relic of my shame, something I never mentioned to people in case they questioned me about it.

But enough is enough. 

2019 is going to be my year. I know everyone says that every year, but I mean it. This year will be my year. I've read two books this year already, which is more than I read in 2017 as a whole I'm pretty sure, and I'm going to start blogging again. 

So if you're still around, or if you're new, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Connie, a former avid reader, a student and an all round busy person. I love travelling and have been lucky enough to see a lot of the world, (and I will be sharing my adventures on here as well) and this year I'm going to read. I will be posting reviews of books twice a week if my school work permits, and I'll update you guys when I have a regular schedule. I love talking and interacting with fellow readers and you can find me at the following URLs:

Twitter: @connie_dalt

Tumblr: suchamagicalconcept.tumblr.com

Instagram: @conniedalt 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/sunstormsandthunderclouds

Bloglovin': https://www.bloglovin.com/@sunstormsandthunderclouds

Peace n stuff, 

Connie x 

2017 Blogging Resolutions || Goals

I know I'm late, but happy new year! I also know there has been nothing but radio silence from this blog, but that is coming to an end! The start of 2017 has already been manic and busy, in a good way! I've been working my butt off at my part time blog and I finally started to redecorate my room! 

However, this has meant that I haven't done a lot of reading, but I have some amazing reviews in the pipeline and they will be up with a more regular schedule that I'll post next week! 

However, again, a new year has started (24 days ago!) and that has meant the beginning of some new years resolutions: 

• Support only cruelty free makeup and beauty brands in 2017; This has been a long time coming and how I'll be doing this is by taking part in #projectpan this year, which is really an instagram movement but I will be doing updates on product empties every so often on my blog! 
• Take better care of myself and my diet; I'm awful at eating right, I tend to eat too much crisps and not drink enough water but this year I will change that, so far, with exam stress, that hasn't been going to well but it won't be an instant result!
• REDUCE MY TBR!!!! 
• BLOG MORE!!; This is an important one, I feel like I have a good thing going here and I'd hate to ruin it by my own procrastination, so therefore, I'm going to do at least two posts a week, starting next week. 

Again, sorry for the radio silence, but QOTD: What are your 2017 resolutions? 

New Year, New Me? Probably Not, but also Book Anticipation.

People that know me know that I am not an advocate for change. 

I don't like change, but this is going to be the year that I embrace all things new, improved and maybe old too. 

This is the post where I talk about 2016;

• Expect to see me a lot more in 2016, I'm currently organising a timetable and putting posts in schedule, so expect to see me from two to three times a week.
• I will also be talking about some non bookish related things on this blog e.g. Makeup, Music, stuff like that!
• I will also be trying to actually review a lot more books this year, so expect more ARCs and other reviews!

I also joined the Oftomes street team, if you don't know what Oftomes is, it is a micro-publishing company set up by youtuber, Benjaminoftomes. 

And tomorrow, they're re-releasing Rising by Jennifer Wilson with a new cover! 

    Photo cred to @oftomes instagram

The story follows Phoenix, who witnessed her parents murder at a young age. She has spent her life since then obeying her mother's last words -Stay Strong and Survive. But to survive outside of the Sanctuary is close to impossible, a harsh city ruled by the motto, "Join or Die." 

Who can she trust?

I am personally very excited for this re-release and I'm pumped to get into this dystopian series! 

As always, talk to me below, and let me know your New Year's Resolutions! 

Links: 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/20748319-connie

Twitter: @conniedalt

Instagram: @conniedalt

Tumblr: suchamagicalconcept.tumblr.com

Bloglovin': https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/drowning-in-books-14512651

Email: conniedalton@hotmail.com

Book Shelf Makeover...Sort of...

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been very bad with organising my room lately. Ever since I moved out for University, coming home, I've just been using what I need and leaving it lying wherever I am at that time...

And unfortunately, that included my books as well.

With the new year coming up-I decided that it is time for a change. For a new year, a new me was needed...Well, at least me with a better organised bookshelf. 

N.B. Keep in mind that it isn't perfect/finished, but this is just to show my progress so far!

Before: 

As I said, I'd gotten into a bad habit of just leaving my books at my backside essentially. 

My desk, covered in books. 

Boxes filled with books.

Shame in a picture.

Even more shame in a picture. 

After:

To start the process, I moved my desk to the other side of my room, and put my two bookshelves in the corner together. 

Keep in mind my bookshelves touch the floor, so there are a lot more books than you can see in this photo. 

To each set of shelves, I added little personal nik-naks. On this one I have a teddy bear I got the day I was born, a plushie of Nyanko-Sensei from Natsume's Book of Friends, a TARDIS and a Harry Potter Box Set. 

This shelf has a Frozen mug I was given for my birthday (and the remains of a Lush Massage Bar,) fairy lights, a panda teddy, a large dalek and my personal favourite, my Jurassic Park boxset.

The side of the shelf is where I decided to stick my pass from the Fault in Our Stars movie screening, concert tickets and an All Time Low poster. 

So that's it for this little update!

As it was book related I thought I would share it with you all!

QOTD: How do you organise your  books? 

Links:

Goodreads: sunstormsandthunderclouds

Twitter: @conniedalt

Instagram: @conniedalt

Bloglovin': see sidebar!

Reading Challenge Update!

As mentioned in my last reading challenge post, over the months of November and December I'm taking part in a Series Reading Challenge in an attempt to finish as many series as possible to carry into the new year on a cleaner slate. 

This is how I've done so far:

• Total Number of Books read in November as of (27/11/15): 34
• These are; 
• Betrayed (House of Night 2)
• Chosen (House of Night 3)
• Reunion (Mediator 3)
• Darkest Hour (Mediator 4)
• The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events #9)
• The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events #10)
• The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events #11)
• The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events #12)
• The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events #13)
• Eclipse (Twilight #3)
• The Second Short Life of Bree Tanner (Twilight #3.5)
• Blue Blood (Blue Bloods #1)
• Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2)
• Revelations (Blue Bloods #3)
• Fall of Night (The Morganville Vampires #14)
• Daylighters (The Morganville Vampires #15)
• The Magician's Nephew (The Chronicles of Narnia #1)
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia #2)
• The Horse and his Boy (The Chronicles of Narnia #3)
• Prince Caspian (The Chronicles of Narnia #4)
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (The Chronicles of Narnia #5)
• The Silver Chair (The Chronicles of Narnia #6)
• The Last Battle (The Chronicles of Narnia #7)
• To All The Boys I've Loved Before (To All The Boys I've Loved Before #1)
• Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire and Ice #1)
• Fathomless (Fairytale Retellings #3)
• Abby and the Cute One (Backstage Pass #5)
• Dark Flame (The Immortals #4)
• Night Star (The Immortals #5)
• Passion (Fallen #3)
• Fallen in Love (Fallen 3.5)

• Books not in a series: 
• The November Criminals
• Rain Saga 
• Completed Series: 3 (Narnia, Morganville Vampires and A Series of Unfortunate Events)

How is your reading month going? 

My Links:

• Goodreads: sunstormsandthunderclouds (Connie)
• Bloglovin': see sidebar
• Twitter: @conniedalt
• Instagram: @conniedalt