Hey reader fam!
I sure do love writing these bi-weekly newsletters and getting to dump all of my bookish thoughts down and share them with my people - book people just GET IT! And it’s such a good feeling.
If you follow me closely on instagram, you may know that I am currently in the process of moving. Not out of North Carolina, but into a community that better suits our wants and needs. As many of you know, moving when you own an entire library of books can be overwhelming, and it’s usually a good idea to do a big purge (otherwise known as an unhaul) and just get rid of those unread books that haven’t been calling to you for goodness knows how long.
What I try to tell myself when deciding whether or not to keep a book, or give it away, is this: you can still read these books one day! But, if you couldn’t see yourself reading the book immediately (or soon), then it might be time to part ways.
It can be so hard to hold on to our books in the hopes that we will one day have time to read them all. But truthfully, there simply isn’t time to read all the things, so priorities are necessary. Marie Kondo would be so proud of me!
What I’ve been reading…
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice: Winter is around the corner, and a small northern Anishinaabe community goes off the grid. Cut off from power, food supply, and neighboring communities, people become passive and confused. Panic builds as the the food supply starts to dwindle and local stores become empty. An unexpected visitor arrives at the reservation, escaping, after escaping their own community to the South. Soon, others start showing up seeking refuge - and things start to get a little messy. The tension in this one was palpable, and the plot pulls you along in a propulsive and atmospheric narrative. I didn’t always feel the desire to pick this one up after I had set it down; but, every time I put my earbuds in to listen for a bit, I would end up listening for longer than anticipated. The ending of this one was especially thrilling, and completely took me by surprise in its twisty intensity. I would say that this is a suspense novel, that takes a horrific turn in the last quarter. I wouldn’t recommend this for readers who find death and gore to be triggering or harmful. If you’d like more specific details regarding triggers, feel free to reach out to me! I liked this one, and appreciated its over arching theme on how colonialism has affected the Indigenous community and shaped the situation they’re in. That being said, this book didn’t stand out to me as a new favorite in the apocalyptic genre. Would be a great book to sink into when you want a wintery escape with a lot of building tension and rising action! Buy yourself a copy on Bookshop.
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai: For all of my romance loving readers out there, I thought this was such a lovely treat! An enemies to lovers, second chance, fake dating/engagement of convenience romance, The Dating Plan offers really funny banter, terrific chemistry, and delicious food descriptions. There were a couple of moments during sexy times that had me raising an eyebrow… phrases like “your skin shimmers,” just gives me Twilight PTSD, rather than making my heart flutter. That being said, this romance is definitely open door, so bear that in mind when deciding whether or not this is for you. Buy yourself a copy on Bookshop.
The Star Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman: In this slow burn story of love and family, three generations of second born daughters take us to Italy on this armchair travel adventure. There is a lot of foodie goodness that will make you hungry for pasta and scenic descriptions of the Tuscan countryside that will make you eager to travel again! Unfortunately though, I did not enjoy this one very much. The relationships between family members felt phony, and these adult characters behaved, in my opinion, immaturely. This one has fantastic ratings on Goodreads, and my negative feelings are the minority opinion. My fellow buddy readers said that they liked this one for it’s neat and tidy ending, it’s feel good nature with the addition of some fun twists, and that it was a nice escapist journey into another country. If those things sound like something you would enjoy, then you should absolutely try this one out! Like I said, the overall ratings for it are fantastic. Buy yourself a copy on Bookshop.
Currently on my nightstand…
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: I have been powering through romance this week! I have read 2 romances in the last 2 days, and the streak is going strong. I’ve heard great things about this romance and am excited that I’m finally getting to it! I loved the author’s other novel in this series, The Bride Test.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: I will never tire of reading this author’s work. This one doesn’t come out until June, but preordering books is a great way to support an author and your local bookstore! So far this story is juicy and scandalous and everything else we love to see from the beloved TJR. I can’t wait to share more thoughts!
Recent purchases and things I’ve been loving
Pink striped pajama nightgown from Target: this is the softest pajama dress that I own. It’s the perfect nightgown for sleeping in on the weekends, and for comfy reading sessions in bed! Buy yourself this cozy nightgown for $19.99!
Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner: I have been using this eyeliner for years and it’s my favorite. It’s so affordable, applies really smoothly, and lasts all day. Try out my favorite eyeliner!
Eight Book MeReader Collection: These MeReaders have been a really great introduction to more independent reading for my 3 year old. It’s also a great way to introduce her to stories on audio, which is something that I really want to encourage! I remember loving books on tape when I was younger, so it’s giving me some nostalgia. If you’re wanting something new to introduce to your toddler’s learning, I really recommend these! Check out the Frozen book set here.
Birthdate Candles: These candles smell so fantastic, and I love having a personalized scented candle for my very own birthday! Plus all the astrological facts about my birthdate are also really fun, and I love that those details are on the label! You can use my code NERDNATIVE10 for a discount, or just click this link so you can get your own for a better price!
Closing notes…
I’m hoping to spend the weekend offline to recharge and read. I usually do a lot of instagram work on the weekends which can really cut into my reading time. I want to enjoy the spring weather and take some time for myself, phone and social media free.
I definitely encourage you to do the same! Spend time with loved ones, read a good book, and let your brain rest from the exhaustion that social media can bring.
Happy weekend, readers!
Xo
-H