It’s time for another weekly update! Keep reading to find out the books I read this past week as well as what I plan on reading next! I also mention both films and television series that I have been watching. But first, let’s start with a quick life update!
Life
So I’m sure you already know that the solar eclipse was this past Monday. While we didn’t get full totality here in Toronto, it was still pretty cool to see everyone talking about it and gathering outside with protective sunglasses to take a peek! I tried to look using my phone’s front cam, but unfortunately I couldn’t really see much. Apparently Toronto will get full totality in 2024 though! Time to prepare and get me some proper NASA approved glasses!
Earlier this week I was also finally able to sign up for my Toronto International Film Festival volunteer shifts! This will be my fourth year in a row volunteering with the festival and as always, I’m super excited! Stay tuned for a blog post containing a full list of all of the films that I’m super excited to try and see!
Can you believe Fan Expo is less than a week away?! Saturday consisted of last minute shopping for the last piece of my cosplay! I’m going as Yurio from Yuri!!! On Ice for one day of the convention and I’m super excited about it! I didn’t dress up at all last year, so I’m happy to be getting into the cosplay game!
Today should also be a great day! I’m meeting up with my fellow Toronto Book Bloggers once again for a fun day of discussing what we’ve recently read! This is always a great time…and not gonna lie, I can’t wait for some chicken tenders!
Books
Recently Finished: Fireworks by Katie Cotugno, They’re Not Like Us by Eric Stephenson, A Map For Wrecked Girls by Jessica Taylor & We Now Return To Regular Life by Martin Wilson
As you may already know, I’ve been taking part in ARC August this month so I’ve been trying to cross of as many ARCs on my list as possible! I was able to know off another three this week, the first being Fireworks by Katie Cotugno. While this book wasn’t really my taste, it was quick and fast paced. I didn’t hate it, but it was a little too fluffy and high school drama for me. I’ve had They’re Not Like Us by Eric Stephenson on my to-read list for a while now. I requested it on NetGalley forever ago and it’s been a part of my plummeting ratio for a while now. It felt good to finally be able to read this one! This one felt like a bit of an X-MEN knockoff if I’m being completely honest, but I think it has some potential so I’m thinking I’ll continue with the second volume and hope for the best! I also recently finished reading A Map For Wrecked Girls by Jessica Taylor, an ARC that I won through a Goodreads giveaway! My second win ever! This one was a really interesting take on a relationship between two sisters. I really enjoyed reading this one and you can find a full review coming soon! I also finished reading We Now Return To Regular Life by Martin Wilson which I have been anticipating for a while now. While this wasn’t an ARC, I did buy the hardcover recently and it’s been on my shelf staring at me and begging to be read! I also really enjoyed this one and you can also find a full review coming soon!
Currently Reading: White Bodies by Jane Robins & Wonder by R.J. Palacio
While I don’t think I’ll be finishing White Bodies by Jane Robins in time to include it in my ARC August wrap up, I’m really excited to be reading this one! It’s totally about time for another psychological thriller! Another book that has been staring at my from my shelves for a while now is Wonder by R.J. Palacio! Now that it’s being turned into a film, I figured that now was a great time to finally pick it up. Guys, I cried during the movie trailer…I don’t cry during anything. Is this book going to make me sob?
Next Up: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds & Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
Another ARC on my immediate to-read list is Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. I’ve never read anything by Jason Reynolds before, but I’ve heard so many amazing things! I’m really excited to be picking this one up soon! Sticking with the theme of reading books that have been on my shelves for ever, I hope to pick up Bone Gap by Laura Ruby! This is another one that I’ve heard so many amazing things about and I can’t wait to pick it up!
Film
Recently Watched: Creed
Yeah. I’m late to the party with this one. Can I tell you a little secret…I’ve never watched a Rocky film from start to finish before. I know, shame shame shame. I really did enjoy Creed though…so maybe I should watch the other endless amount of Rocky movies out there?
Television
Currently watching/binging: Sailor Moon + Game Of Thrones (gahhh finale tonight!)
I’m still making my way through the great Sailor Moon re-watch of 2017. I won’t lie to you though…I’ve kind of taken a little break for now. I’m also still on top of the new Game Of Thrones episodes and oh my god this season is phenomenal. I’m LOVING it. I can’t believe we’re already at the season finale!
Music
Currently Listening To: EXO – Ko Ko Bop
This song is my everything right now.
There you have it, my wrap up for the week! What have you do/read/watch/listen to recently?
Thanks for reading!
Big City Bookworm 
I totally missed out on the eclipse, I just stayed inside and one of the friends of my roomie’s was there too. We just waited until it was over hahaha
I am so excited to hear about TIFF. It’s so cool that you get to work there.
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Haha! I was stuck inside as well, but I tried my best to see it! Didn’t work out so well 😛
TIFF should be wonderful as always! I’ll be sure to post about it! 😀
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I just read Wonder this week. It’s really good!
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Ugh I just started and I can already feel that I’m going to cry during this one 😦
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We get totality in 2024?! Yay! I’m so excited!!!
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That’s what I’ve heard!! I can’t wait! 😀
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I saw the eclipse! Didn’t get totality either, just like 70%. My dad welds and had some helmets for the fam. Supposed to be darkness 14, but these went to 13. My eyes are fine though, lol. It actually wasn’t that impressive. I took an astronomy class and my professor was saying it is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. But I guess that is just is totality. It gets dark, gets significantly colder, and wind picks up – so I’m told. Where I was, it got maybe a little dimmer, like thin clouds over the sun or something? For me, it wasn’t that impressive. I would still like to experience a total solar eclipse though! I love astronomy so kind of expected. One time I looked at Jupiter in a telescope and could see four of the moons! That was worth it. Need a pretty big telescope though. Also, it is really fun to be like – hum that looks like a bright star. Bet it is Jupiter. Let us pull up that astronomy app. Ha! I was right. Okay, where is the second brightest thing in the sky…. Yep! Saturn!
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That’s amazing! A few friends of mine also had welding helmets haha! It was also about 70% totality for us as well! Jupiter is my favourite planet haha! That’s so cool that you got to see four of its many moons!
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I love these Weekly Catch-Ups 🌸
I’ve heard so many good things about A Map For Wrecked Girls & Fireworks, really looking forward to reading them sometime in the future! Wonder is also on my TBR and I can’t wait for the movie to be released 😊
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Thank you so much! I really enjoyed A Map For Wrecked Girls…Fireworks on the other hand…wasn’t really for me haha! I’ve just started reading Wonder and oh my god I’m totally going to cry while reading this one…
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! Didn’t sustain totality either, just like 70%.
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