Welcome to Stories in Space! This is a new and improved version of my blog, previously named Olivia Chanel’s Galaxy of Books. My last blog post was made in August, 2018, which was more than two years ago so a lot has happened since the last time you saw me on here. I made this post to reintroduce myself, and the blog, and to update you on what has happened in my life since the summer of 2018.

First of all, let me tell you about the name change. I decided to change my blog name from Galaxy of Books to Stories in Space because I want to venture out from just book blogging in order to discuss other media forms as well, such as movies, and I feel the new blog name better reflects my love for all narratives, both those that exist within the pages of novels and those outside of them. However, my love for the universe is still a cornerstone of this blog which is reflected in the new name too.

In 2018, I started my second year of English Studies and now in 2020 I have finally graduated. I can easily say that this past year has been a roller coaster for me: I spent a semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland (which was amazing and new!) and then wrote my bachelor paper during a global pandemic (I got to experience opposition via Zoom, which was different!). I have to say that my three years as an English Studies student were so gratifying. I learned so much and have really grown as a person both academically and personally during these years that it is a bittersweet feeling to know that it is over now. However, I’m excited to look into the future now and see what is next in my life (most likely more academics, this time in the shape of a masters degree).

An exciting thing that connects what I have done on the blog in the past and what I have done in my academic life while gone is the topic and object of my bachelor paper. In it, I analyzed The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, one of the last books I reviewed before I took my break from the book blogging sphere. However, the most exciting aspect of my years away was my travels to Edinburgh and Scotland. I had the time of my life over there. Below are some pictures from my semester in Scotland.

Victoria Street in Edinburgh

Greyfriars Bobby Statue in Edinburgh

Loch Lomond

Me at Midhope Castle (known as Lallybroch in Outlander)

Highland Cows Outside of Glasgow

Bonfire Night on November 5

Portree on Isle of Skye

The Annual Edinburgh Christmas Market

I have also managed to read a bit during my years away (although not as many as I would have liked) and I want to highlight a few of my favorites that you need to have your radar. Here is a list of novels I read since the summer of 2018 that I loved and would recommend (I will make sure to discuss these further in future blog posts).

• Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare
• The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai
• Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai
• Hurts to Love You by Alisha Rai
• Wild Embers by Nikita Gill
• Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
• Songs You Come Back To by Jay E. Tria
• Unfinished Business by Nora Roberts

What have you read recently that you just loved? What do you think about my updated blog name and layout? I hope to catch up with you all soon now that I’m back.