April Happenings (2020)

It’s time for my monthly update post…Happy Leap Day! The second month of 2020 is already over…

I’m sharing a few updates on what I’m reading, blogging about, and what I’m eating and watching.

on the bookshelf

Currently reading: Stay With Me by Becky Wade

Recent additions to my TBR/shelf I’m super excited about: Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner, The Little Bookshop of Love Stories by Jaimie Admans, When I Lost My Way by Jennifer Rodewald, Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson.

on the blog

Most visited new reviews:

1. The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch
2. The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews
3. Kings Falling by Ronie Kendig

Other popular posts:

1. Top Ten Tuesday: 11 Titles That Would Make Good Band Names
2. First Line Fridays # 32: Take a Chance on Me by Becky Wade
3. Spotlight + Excerpt: “The Thorn Keeper” by Pepper Basham Birthday Blog Tour

on the screen

I’ve been watching all the WWII related dramas. So far, I’m enjoying the PBS WWII drama World on Fire. It has an almost-too-big cast (many little plots to follow), but it’s following interesting events early on in the war.

I also loved the TV movie The Windermere Children, based on true life Jewish refugee children in post-war England. I rewatched Operation Finale, too.

in the kitchen

I love all things ITALIAN. Lately, I’ve made my first homemade meatballs (recipe here) and found that they freeze well! And, thanks to my PBS watching and America’s Test Kitchen, I discovered the Torta Caprese AKA a flourless chocolate cake make with whipped eggs and almond flour. It had just the right balance of gooey and light texture.

Your turn! Tell me: what have you been reading, watching, and eating this month?

February Happenings

Happy Leap Day! The second month of 2020 is already over…

It’s been a while since I’ve done any type of “monthly recap” post. I posted these regularly in 2017-18, but time & other factors caused me to get out of the habit. SO! I would like to revive them with a few format changes. I plan to post at the end of each month with a few updates on what I’m reading, blogging about, and maybe what I’m eating and watching.

on the bookshelf

Currently reading: If For Any Reason by Courtney Walsh

Recent additions to my TBR/shelf I’m super excited about: Kings Falling by Ronie Kendig, Chasing the White Lion by James R. Hannibal, and Becky Wade’s new (free!) novella Take a Chance on Me.

on the blog

Most visited new reviews:

1. Review & Interview: The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews
2. The Solid Grounds Coffee Co. by Carla Laureano
3. Follow the Dawn by Rachelle Rea Cobb

Other popular posts:

1. Favorite Quotes from The Blue Castle
2. First Line Fridays # 31: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
3. Favorite Quotes from Persuasion

on the screen

I finished watched some great British drama this month, including the one and only season of Sanditon and the newest Howard’s End miniseries. I enjoyed them both. I know Sanditon is polarizing, especially with its ending, but I liked it and think it ended with enough hope. Now I need more Theo James in period dramas! Howard’s End was the first rendition of this classic I’ve ever seen, so its story ups and downs were fresh and interesting. I really really loved Margaret, though I didn’t always like the choices of the other characters and the way they drove parts of the story.

Fun movies I watched for the first time include Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks-starring and directed, hilarious “normal life” humor) and Timeline (GERARD. BUTLER. on a horse.).

in the kitchen

I had some amazing raspberry oat bars from Whole Foods I’m scheming to recreate in my kitchen. I have a couple online recipes and the ingredients list. I’m going to science!

Grocery store adventures: I can’t find buckwheat flour anywhere local. Buckwheat pancake and waffle mix, yes. Buckwheat groats, yes. I’m wanting to make the Buckwheat Blueberry Breakfast cake from this novel.

I DID make crepes a couple days ago, using Alton Brown’s recipe from his Good Eats show. I posted a pic on Twitter… and Alton tweeted back! I kinda fangirled over the kitchen nerdiness of it all.

How’d they turn out?

— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) February 28, 2020

Your turn! Tell me: what have you been reading, watching, and eating this month?

Musings on the review routine…

A conversation with a friend sparked this rambling thought process on the “book review routine”.

After mentioning that I review books, this friend asked me if I still enjoy stories as much (because I’m thinking about critiquing, etc.). I heartily responded YES! As conversation continued, it was one of those moments I realized I had not thought of this concept this way before, and talking about it helped my realization.

 

Yes. I do still enjoy story as much, but most likely MORE SO because reviewing makes me say more than “I like it” (ok, most of the time, unless it’s a flailing gush-of-a-review and I just say I loooooove it.). I consider plot, themes, characterization, setting, symbolism, etc., way more than when I read all books at my leisure. I think about all of these things while reading. And, these considerations make those little moments when I recognize a story is going to be ingrained in my heart for its amazingness all the more special.

Oh, and those friends that kindly ask about your hobbies and passions? Hold them dear.

 

I would love to know your thoughts!!! Fellow book bloggers, how has this “process” changed the way you perceive story?

December (& 2017) Happenings

Wow. It’s time to say goodbye to December and goodbye to another year. This makes me all kinds of nostalgic! There’s just something bright about a year beginning in all its possibility and newness. But first, I’m taking one last look at 2017 and the month of December with the usual rundown and some fun yearly favorites.

on the bookshelf

New on the bookshelf this December: One Christmas in Winter by Bell Renshaw, Desert Duet by Debra E. Marvin, A Log Cabin Christmas Collection by various authors, The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano, A Sweethaven Christmas by Courtney Walsh, A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White, Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren, Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale by Amanda Dykes, and both A Season to Love and A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese.

on the blog

December popular posts:

1. Best of 2017
2. First Line Fridays # 7: Ordinary Snowflakes
3. First Line Fridays #8 Special Christmas Edition: The Story of the Other Wise Man
4. The Joy of Christmas Book Tag
5. Favorite Quotes from “Persuasion” by Jane Austen

December popular reviews:

1. The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon (plus author interview)
2. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
3. A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

2017’s most popular posts & reviews:

1. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
2. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project (With Kool-Aid!)
3. 4 Reasons to Read Inspirational Fiction
4. Best of 2017
5. Favorite Quotes from “Persuasion” by Jane Austen
6. Top Ten Tuesday:  Top 10 Books on my Winter TBR
7. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Favorite Jane Austen-Esque Romances
8. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books with Bookish Heroines (and Heroes!)
9. Book Spotlight & Author Interview: My Unexpected Hope by Tammy L. Gray
10. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

in the kitchen

December was a month for baking, both on the job (cupcakes galore!) and for family. My favorite new recipe I tried was, yet again, from a “Bake From Scratch” magazine. It was the Spiced Coconut Oil Cake with Bourbon Glaze. I’m always on the lookout for easily-adaptable dairy free recipes, and this one was simple! (I substituted coconut almond milk with a tad of vinegar for the buttermilk.)

on the screen

Murder on the Orient Express was a cinematic masterpiece. The costumes, cinematography, script, and even the little moments I found humorous all work to portray the era and gripping story line perfectly.

The Lady Eve — sometimes a little silly, this is still the classic era of film at its best. Barbara Stanwycke is as glamorous as ever, and Henry Fonda plays the rare comedic relief piece as his world is turned upside down by “Eve” and her schemes. My favorite scene involves HIS father looking for his breakfast!

around the web

My year in books on Goodreads 

So many best-of book lists! Kara, Rissi, Becky, and Beth‘s to name a few.

THE INSPYs ARE OPEN! Check out Rel’s post with all the details. The INSPYs are annual blogger/reader nominated-and-judged inspirational fiction awards, given in several categories. Go vote for your favorite books now!

2018 plans

So far, my 2018 to-do list is short. Besides a few work-related plans, I’m going to be participating in the Mansfield Park Read-Along Amber is hosting starting January 3rd! (PS you’re invited to join!)

And, I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next SSD installment in February, as just announced here. Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Road Less Traveled. The steady story and character development of these movies is always my fav!

Thank you for being my blog readers and friends in 2017. Now, time to ask for your feedback!!! What would you like to see from me on the blog? More reviews? More guest authors? More bookish (or non-bookish) discussions? Movie reviews? I’ve been toying with that last idea for a while…