April 11, 2026 – My mom’s new furniture arrived! It’s so cozy. I’m sitting in the big armchair with an ottoman, and I can’t wait to spend Football Sundays relaxing in this chair in the fall!

April 12, 2026 – Our first reading crawl was a success! I can’t wait for the next one. Read all the details here.

April 13, 2026 – Look at these sweet babies! Eloise loves cuddling into that corner of the couch, and sometimes I spend more time than I’d like to admit looking for her, not realizing she’s wedged into the corner.

April 14, 2026 – Sometimes when I’m coloring, Eloise jumps on the table and sits right on my coloring book. It’s like she’s saying, “Time to take a break, mama.”

April 15, 2026 – This is the only photo I took today because I wanted to show it to Bri. (It’s about a murder that takes place at a local community theatre, so it couldn’t be more up her alley if it tried!) Funny story: I was in bed, CPAP mask on, ready for sleepies, when my eyes flew open and I was like, “OMG, I don’t think I took a picture today.” I opened my phone and scrolled to my Photos app and was relieved to see this picture.

April 16, 2026 – Did I bring way too many books on my reading retreat? I sure did! But I wanted to give myself plenty of options (even though I also brought my Kindle, so worst case, I could always download stuff from the library/Amazon).

April 17, 2026 – Outside lounging while reading on a Friday afternoon! The only thing that would make this reading retreat better is if I had chosen an Airbnb with a pool, but those houses were way more expensive. Wah! (Maybe next year?)

What was the last photo you took?

Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood (★★★★☆)

E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: A decade after their explosive on-screen chemistry—and off-screen hatred—turned a small film into a cult classic, two rival actors are forced to reunite for the sequel and revive their fake romance for the cameras, only to discover their long-buried feelings might not be entirely fictional.

I really liked this romance! At first, the back-and-forth timeline (it switched between the present day and when the characters first met) was a little frustrating because I was much more engaged with the past storyline. But as we spent more time with the present-day chapters, I found myself falling more and more in love with Cynthie and Jack. I especially enjoyed seeing how they had matured and how their relationship evolved over time. I also appreciated what Laura Wood had to say about fame, the experience of being a woman in Hollywood, and the importance of female friendship. Overall, it was a sweet romance. Maybe a little forgettable (I don’t think this will make my favorites list at the end of the year), but sometimes, you just need a light-hearted, enjoyable story, and that’s exactly what this was.

Unmissing by Minka Kent (★★★☆☆)

Print • Owned (Amazon) • Thriller • 2022

Short synopsis: After her husband’s first wife returns alive ten years after being presumed dead, Merritt’s attempts to help her rebuild unravel into a chilling web of lies, secrets, and dangerous truths.

This was a solid but ultimately forgettable thriller. While the story had plenty of twists and turns that genuinely surprised me, the writing itself wasn’t particularly strong, I found the dialogue to be somewhat stilted, and some parts of the plot didn’t feel believable. I also struggled to connect with the characters, as their motivations and personalities sometimes felt inconsistent. I wanted the author to dig a little deeper into her characters and make me care a little more for them. Just… meh.

Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2026

Short synopsis: In 1977 Rochester, a bored housewife’s affair with a neighbor ignites a scandal that shatters her family. Decades later, Clara, the oldest daughter, must confront the lingering fallout when she returns home and faces a life-altering choice.

Sweeney has definitely leveled up with this book. It was excellent and the kind of audiobook I didn’t want to stop listening to. I also appreciated that this novel didn’t have the typical alternating-chapters trope; instead, the story unfolds in three distinct sections set in 1977, 1994, and 1998. The first and third parts were the most engaging for me, while the middle section—though crucial to the story—had a bit of a “mushy middle” feel. Still, the novel is beautifully written, with complex characters I couldn’t help but root for, even when they were making terrible decisions. Sweeney brings so much tenderness to every thread of the story: the affair and the weight it carries for Clara’s mother, Clara’s response to it, and the way everything ultimately comes together. The ending was beautiful and actually made me tear up, even though I was finishing the audiobook on a walk. Overall, it’s an impressive novel from Sweeney and one that’s quickly climbing my favorites list.

What are you reading?

We started our day with breakfast at Central Diner St. Pete, apparently touted as “best breakfast in St. Pete.” Unfortunately, I’m going to call bullshit on that one. I ordered an egg sandwich on a bagel and my food was so bland. The bagel was just a plain bagel, and it tasted a little stale. I was pretty disappointed, but hey, you can’t win ’em all! At least I had great company and we chit-chatted for about an hour, catching up on life and discussing the books we brought and our plans for the reading crawl.

Then, it was time for our first stop!

Stop #1: The Book Lounge

We got to The Book Lounge a few minutes before they opened, which meant we got a prime reading spot on a set of couches. We ordered coffee (I ordered an iced vanilla latte and got a blueberry muffin since my breakfast did not tide me over), and once our drinks arrived, I set a timer for an hour, and we settled in to read!

Our books were The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas (Lynn), How to Read a Book by Monica Wood (Kim), and The Love Haters by Katherine Center (me). My final tally at the end of this reading stop was 70 pages!

Once our timer was up, we strolled around the bookstore for a bit but… and I know this is going to come as a shock… I didn’t really find any books I wanted to buy. BLASPHEMY! My friends didn’t find anything, either, so we left empty-handed.

Stop #2: Book + Bottle

Originally, we weren’t going to go to Book + Bottle because they were having a wine event. However, at closer inspection, we discovered the event was outside, which meant the inside was free rein for us! We walked the short distance to Book + Bottle, found a spot inside, and ordered waters. Lynn ordered wine and also some crackers and hummus for our table. (The hummus was incredible!) I tried to order some macarons for us, but they were sold out. Wah!

We settled at a table and set another hour-long timer. Lynn and I continued reading our books while Kim opted to continue with another book she had been reading. (Actually, Kim brought two books and we played a fun game where Lynn or I would reach into her tote and pluck out the first thing our hands touched! For me, it was How to Read a Book and for Lynn, it was Kim’s Kindle. Ha!) So Kim settled in with Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman. (We’re reading the first book in the series, Dungeon Crawler Carl, for book club this month! Kim zoomed through the first book and is already on the second one.)

It was another solid reading hour for me! I got through another 70 pages, and was fully immersed in this fun romance. Katherine Center is more miss than hit for me these days, but I’m glad I’m giving this one a try because it’s so good. (I’m picturing the LOML, David Corenswet, as hunky Hutch, and that’s making this romance even better for me.)

Also, there was the cutest service dog hanging out next to us. Look at that grin!

After our reading time, we strolled through the bookstore. Book + Bottle has a very curated selection (maybe 8-10 bookshelves total?), but I almost always find a gem in the stacks. This time around, I picked up a book that I’ve never heard of but with a title and a cover like this, how could I resist?!

Stop #3: Black Crow Coffee

(I need you guys to know that I had “live” turned on for these photos and they do NOT disappoint.)

Our final stop of the day was Tombolo Books and Black Crow Coffee (Jenny – is this sounding familiar to you? Ha!). Getting there was a nightmare because downtown parking on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon was atrocious. I did two loops, paralleled parked LIKE A BOSS in one space, then decided that space might not be a place I could park, and as I was trying to get out, I almost got T-boned by a bus that came zooming by. Good times! I eventually had some parking spot serendipity, as I turned on one road just as someone was pulling out of a space. Hooray!

We strolled around Tombolo for a bit, and I got the DELIGHT OF MY LIFE when I found out that Caro Claire Burke of Yesteryear and Diabolical Lies fame is coming to my city in May! AHHHHH! I couldn’t sign up for the event fast enough, and my book event pal, Lynn, was also free that night! I’m trying to figure out how much I should fangirl all over her when I see her. I literally did a happy dance in the bookstore when I found out!

Anyway, after my moment of delight, I calmed down enough to check out their stacks and found two books that had to come home with me: one from a fave romance author that has a cover to die for and the other from a cult classic in our blogging community that is finally in paperback. Afterwards, we headed next door to Black Crow Coffee for the third and final stop on our reading crawl.

We ordered coffee (decaf for the normal people, but I drank a full caffeinated peppermint mocha at 3pm and slept like a baby that night) and then found a secluded spot to do more reading. Kim had to leave about 15 minutes after we sat down, but Lynn and I managed to sneak in another 20 minutes of reading time before the coffee shop closed. My final tally for the day was 180 pages—I think I could have finished The Love Haters if I had a full hour-long session! It’s under 300 pages (bless you, Katherine Center) and I was zipping through the pages!

Final Thoughts

This was my ideal day, I think, and it made me so excited for my upcoming solo reading retreat! I get to do this for two-and-a-half days straight in just a few days. AHHH! We have plans to do this reading crawl quarterly, and switch up our locations every time. There are so many great bookstores and coffee shops and other places to visit in our area, and it’s a great way to support our local businesses, too. We’re considering jumping over to Tampa for our next reading crawl.

I had the best time, and it was a great mix of being social and being quiet and sucked into my book. We started around 10 a.m. with breakfast and I didn’t leave downtown until 4 p.m.! That’s a long day, especially moving around so much, but I truly didn’t feel exhausted at the end of it. I think that’s because a) I didn’t have to be “on” the whole time and b) I got to interact with so many bookish places and people, which is always my happy place.

I can’t wait for our next reading crawl!

Does a reading crawl like this sound exciting or exhausting to you?!

Saturday, April 4, 2026 – It’s Christmas in… April?! Our book club experience for March (scheduled the first weekend of April since it was hard to get everyone’s schedules to sync up in March!) was a Christmas party! This was a lot of fun: we brought food, played some Christmas trivia, made Christmas stockings with puffy paint, and ended the night with Jackbox games.

Sunday, April 5, 2026 – Easter was a weird day for me because I didn’t do anything related to the holiday! Instead, I slept in, enjoyed some time reading on the patio, and got a lot of to-dos knocked out.

Monday, April 6, 2026 – I am in love with my new tech station in the corner of my office. The shelf I got is perfect!

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – My mom’s house is currently furniture-less, aside from her dining room table, bed, and the desk in her office. The dogs are very out of sorts being without a couch. Last week, my mom and I went to trivia, and when she checked on the dogs on her Ring app, they were pacing around the living room, looking extremely pitiful. We left trivia early, and my mom decided she wouldn’t leave them alone for too long until her furniture got delivered (which is happening today!). On Tuesday evening, she had some appointments, so I told her I would come over and hang with the dogs, which is honestly a delight. I love these babies! We did a lot of snuggling, a lot of kissing, and a lot of reading.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Does it look like Lila’s hammock isn’t leaning as hard as it used to? Well, that’s because homegirl lost .37 lbs in the past few weeks! I took her to the vet for a booster shot and asked them to weigh her since I have her on a diet now. And she lost some weight! We’re trending in the right direction.

Thursday, April 9, 2026 – A much-needed and incredibly relaxing massage. I need to know how massage therapists feel when they hear their clients snoring because I definitely woke myself up a few times. (Jenny???)

Friday, April 10, 2026 – It was a glorious Friday! Weather in the 70s, blue skies, a slight breeze. My walk was sensational!

Where did your last walk take place?

The high of my week was starting to see a difference in my pain levels. It took 8 weeks, which is the timeline my rheumatologist gave me, so I guess I’m not special at all. Heh. I woke up on Tuesday morning and realized I had slept on my left shoulder… and it didn’t hurt! I could do arm circles with both arms (something I haven’t been able to do in months). I could use that arm to leverage myself off the floor, and didn’t have any pain. It’s amazing! My sausage finger still isn’t 100% but it’s a lot more flexible than it was a week ago and I can alllllmost make a regular fist. It’s also a lot less tender than it was earlier this week. PROGRESS! The next step is getting bloodwork done (in two weeks) to find out if my inflammation has decreased, and then we can finally start discussing weaning off prednisone. (It’s a wonder drug, but I’m feeling really self-conscious about the prednisone bloat that’s happening.)

The low of my week was ripping my beautiful reading chair! I am so upset with myself, but I’m hopeful it can be fixed. I was getting up from my reading chair last night and heard a weird sound… and when I looked down, I had fully ripped part of the seam near the arm. ChatGPT told me it can be fixed with some strong upholstery thread, so I guess I’m going to learn to sew?! Fingers crossed this isn’t the end for that reading chair. I love it so much!

I’m currently reading two books. In print, I’m reading The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, which is the first book in her Hercule Poirot series. I’m only a few chapters in, but there are so many characters that I started keeping a list. On audio, I’m listening to How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin, which has been super engaging so far!

A blog post I loved was Sarah’s quarterly book post, detailing all of the great upcoming releases for Q2 of 2026. I need to sit down with it again and start adding books to my Goodreads TBR!

A show I watched this week was House of Villains. I wanted something easy to watch on Wednesday evening when I wasn’t feeling great, so I turned on season 1 of this show. It’s mindless and a bit silly. I’m not sure I’m going to keep watching because I’m not a huge fan of reality shows that have a lot of fighting and conflict, but we’ll see.

The best money I spent this week was a tip for my massage therapist. I haven’t gotten a massage since January, when I was still dealing with terrible joint pain and hadn’t started prednisone. I told my therapist all about the pain I was experiencing and what areas to avoid because they were a bit too tender at the moment. So it was great to see her again, three months later, and tell her my pain had decreased significantly and all I was looking for was a relaxing massage! She was really happy to see me in a lot less pain, and I was happy for a massage that put me right to sleep. Ha!

My plans this weekend include a low-key evening in tonight (will I watch a movie, or will I keep saying I’m going to watch a movie and then opt for stupid TV instead?). Tomorrow, I have a writing date with Mikaela, where I should be able to finish up my character studies. I’ll probably run some errands and handle some admin tasks afterward. And Sunday, I am meeting up with two friends for a READING CRAWL. We got this idea from an Instagram Reel months and months ago, and we’re finally going to make it happen. I’ll have all the details about this reading crawl on Monday!

What are your weekend plans?

We are officially one-quarter of the way into 2026. How is everyone feeling about that? I have had a very weird start to the year, but it hasn’t been a bad kind of weird. Just… a lot of adjustments and getting used to new normals.

This year for my annual goals, I gave myself four categories to strive for and set five goals in each category. And then I rounded things out with 10 fun goals (when I originally made this list, three of the 10 fun goals were TBD, but they have since been decided!) Ready to see how I’ve been doing on my annual goals? Let’s get to it!

Take better care of myself

• Create snack kits for my car, purse, and home, and restock them weekly monthly. In progress. The snack kits have been created and I restock them on a monthly basis at this point, since I’m not dipping into them as frequently as I expected. But they have come in clutch some days.
• Drink at least 50 oz of water per day. (18%) I decided to make this goal easier on myself, and I am still struggling. Why is this so hard for me?!
• Close my Apple Watch rings. (34%) I’m happy with the progress I’m making with this goal, as it’s become easier and easier to close my Apple Watch rings the further along I get in my psoriatic arthritis treatment. January was pretty terrible, which brought my average down, but February and March were a lot better!
• Average 7.5 hours of sleep per night. Nope! Right now, my average time asleep is 6 hours, 44 minutes. This is slightly better than the beginning of the year, so progress is happening!
• Take medications every morning. (86%) Would I like this number to be 100%? Of course, and I will work towards increasing the percentage in Q2. But I’m happy with this number. I find it harder to remember to take my meds on the weekends, especially if I don’t eat breakfast at home. (I have to take my meds with food.)

Get a handle on my health conditions

• Start tracking my macros (prediabetes). No progress made. I’m not worried about this right now. Once my PsA is under control with meds, we’ll tackle the diet.
• Work with my dermatologist to develop a flare/maintenance plan for scalp psoriasis. Complete? I’m not really dealing with scalp psoriasis flares, likely due to the meds I’m taking for PsA. Win/win?
• Be compliant with my CPAP every month (sleep apnea). (2/12) I was compliant in January and March, but I failed miserably in February.
• Schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist to figure out my joint pain. Complete! I now have a diagnosis (psoriatic arthritis), and we’re working on a treatment plan.
• Lose 20 lbs (heart disease). No progress made. I haven’t weighed myself in months. I was going to weigh myself in February, but when I stepped on the scale, it didn’t turn on, and I’m taking that as a sign that I don’t need to worry about this right now.

Be a more involved friend

• Text two friends one friend every day. (44%) I am not doing terribly well with this goal, and I even decided to make it easier on myself: I only have to text one person every day. I still feel weird about it sometimes, but I’m trying to remember that I love to hear from other people, so they (probably) do too.
• Make plans with friends once a week. In progress. So far, I’ve only missed one week!
• Organize a girls’ weekend. Complete. The Airbnb is booked, and the weekend is blocked off. We’re having a book club girls’ weekend in June!
• Send three pieces of snail mail every month. In progress. I’m feeling good about this goal! So far, I have sent 6 postcards and 3 cards. Here is my open form for addresses if you’d like to get a silly postcard from me sometime this year!
• Schedule a standing monthly date with at least one friend. No progress made.

Create better daily routines

• Develop a regular morning routine before my workday begins. In progress. I haven’t tracked this as closely as I would have liked, but I have developed a great morning routine that makes me oh-so-happy, and I would say I complete it 3 days a week.
• Do my hair and makeup and put on real clothes on days when I have meetings. In progress. There have been a few meeting-heavy workdays where I don’t do my hair and makeup, but it’s happening the majority of the time.
• Create an evening routine that includes reading time. In progress. I’m struggling a lot more with my evening routine than my morning routine. I’m struggling with how to fit blog time and reading time into my evenings. And I also want some TV time! Ugh. Why is the evening so short?!
• Do some form of movement every day (stretching counts!). (40%) My issue is that if I’m not going to work out long enough to close my exercise ring on my Apple Watch (30 minutes of movement), then I’m not inspired to complete this goal. I need to make this more enticing.
• Get outside every day. (89%) I’m doing pretty well with this goal, although there are some days when I just don’t feel like going outside and dealing with the loudness of other people. But now that I have a great couch on my patio, I think I can get this one done every day! Outside time and no people? Sign me up!

10 fun goals

1) Complete my self-created Unread Shelf Challenge – (3/12) This is going well!

• January (a book that starts with the same letter as your first name): Shark Heart by Emily Habeck ★★★★★
• February (a book written by an author you’ve never read before): Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum ★★★★☆
• March (a book with a one-word title): Homeseeking by Karissa Chen ★★★☆☆

2) Schedule a solo reading retreat weekend. Complete! I leave one week from today!

3) Try four novels from the Zero to Well Read podcast – (1/4)

• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro ★★☆☆☆ 1/2

4) Take one picture every day and do weekly roundups on the blog – In progress. I haven’t missed a day yet!

5) See a Miami Dolphins game at Hard Rock Stadium – No progress made.

6) Decorate my patio – In progress. I bought a new rug and an outdoor couch, so this goal is going really well. I’d like to buy some sort of cat tower/bed for a corner of the patio, and maybe some greenery.

7) Visit somewhere new – This is happening in Q4!

8) Watch one season of a TV show, listen to one album, and watch one movie every month. I am not doing great with this goal, but there is still time for me to catch up. So far, I’ve watched one season of a TV show, listened to two albums, and watched one movie. So, 5/9 completed for Q1!

January

• TV show: Only Murders in the Building, season 5
• Album: Sabrina Carpenter, Man’s Best Friend
• Movie: The Cutting Edge

February

• TV show: New Girl, season 3 (in progress)
• Album: Benson Boone, American Heart
• Movie: TBD

March

• TV show: TBD
• Album: TBD
• Movie: TBD

9) Go to the movies alone. No progress made. 

10) Visit a new-to-me spot in my town every month. (3/12) I’m having fun with this goal!

• January: Corner Kitchen & Coffee House (we went here for book club)
• February: My local Goodwill store
• March: West Coast Players, a local community theatre

Any movie recs for me? How are you doing on your annual goals?

Note: This is a spending report, so I’m only talking about money I spent after it hit my bank account. Don’t expect to see anything about my 401k, FSA, health insurance, etc.

Bills (42.9% | ↓ 2.9% from February): Same ole, same ole. The percentage is a little lower because of my shopping category, which I’ll discuss next! This category comprises all of my bills, including rent, utilities, Internet, phone, gym, electric, my school loan, and my car payment.

Shopping (19.7% | ↑ 11.4% from February): Shopping got a big workout in March, and that’s because I got my annual bonus and decided to invest in a new dining room table and outdoor couch. I also bought some books (duh) and decided to add a few new shirts to my wardrobe because my clothes were starting to bore me. My highest spend categories were home ($1,137), books ($121), and clothes ($83).

Food (11.1% | ↓ 2.4% from February): I’m so proud of myself, you guys! I came in right at $100 for Ubereats orders, which means I can treat myself to a bougie pedicure this month! I’m honestly shocked I met this goal—maybe all I needed was a really good incentive?! I also came under-budget in my groceries category, so it was a good month for the food category.

Savings (5.9% | ↑ .2% from February): Not a huge improvement from February, but there should be a bigger difference in the April spending report. While I did say I was going to put most of my bonus away in savings, I did not do that. Part of me just likes logging onto my bank account and seeing a nice, big number in my checking account that ensures I am not going to be overdrafting anytime soon! But I also know I need to be a good financial steward, so I’ll be shoveling money bit by bit into my emergency savings account in April.

Pets (5.8% | ↑ 1.8% from February): Gosh, the girls were expensive in March! For one, there was Lila’s vet appointment, which entailed putting her on their wellness plan (which included a setup fee). I also bought them some new things, like a scratcher and food bowls, and replaced some boring things like Litter Genie bags.

Entertainment (3.8% | ↑ .5% from February): This category mostly comprises dinners out, either with my mom or with friends.

Car (3.5% | ↓ 2.6% from February): I got gas twice (before it went bonkers, sigh) and two car washes. I also put money away for my eventual car insurance payment.

Gifts/Donations (2.2% | ↓ .7% from February): My apartment complex was collecting items for a local animal shelter, so I spent over $100 at PetSmart because why not?! I got some dog and cat treats, puppy pads, and some toys.

Medical (1.9% | ↓ .7% from February): I ended up spending over $100 on medical items in March, but I’m not exactly sure what I spent so much money on! I know I had to replenish some supplements, but I didn’t take great notes about what else I spent money on in March! Oops.

Beauty (1.8% | ↑ 1.2% from February): I paid for my massage membership and replenished my makeup wipes and tinted moisturizer.

Subscriptions (1.3% | ↓ .6% from February): No change here. Same subscriptions, just shakes out a bit differently.

Household Supplies (.1% | ↓ .7% from February): The only supply I needed in March was new toothpaste! (Don’t worry – I am definitely making up for it in April, as I’ve already spent almost $100 on household supplies…)

Travel (0% | ↓ 9.1% from February): I didn’t spend any money on travel in March!

Overall Thoughts

This was a pretty spendy month for me, but that’s because I got my bonus and put that money toward some home purchases I’ve been wanting. Things should settle down from here on out. I’m interested in replacing my couch at some point, but that’ll be a 2027 goal.

What went well?

• I only spent $100 on Ubereats orders in March! I can’t believe it. I’ve earned myself a bougie pedicure. Let’s see if I can make it happen again in April!
• I met my food budget goal ($800), and that’s really heartening to see. It’s a big budget for one person, but I hate cooking and like ordering food, so it works for my lifestyle.
• I spent well below my means! Of course, it was much easier to do that this month when one of my paychecks was way, way higher than usual, but I’m still counting it!

Where can I improve?

• Savings. I should have put more money in savings, but I didn’t because I’m enjoying a really flush bank account. I know this isn’t a good reason not to put money away in savings, but alas. I am who I am. I promise I will do better in April!
• My pets were expensive once again. And now that I’m feeding them wet food twice a day, instead of once a day, they are probably going to continue to be expensive, especially because Eloise seems to enjoy the pricier food (she’s so fancy!).
• I went overbudget in my entertainment category—not terribly so, but I would like to keep my entertainment spending under $200 monthly.

What was your last food purchase?

Books Read

(3/6) The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Hoopla, 2013) – a surprisingly heartwarming book about two girls who find their parents dead and bury them in their backyard

(3/10) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (★★☆☆☆ 1/2 – print, library, 2010) – this novel just wasn’t for me, but I can understand why the sparse writing and original plot work for some people

(3/12) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2019) – a reread about the son of the U.S. president and the prince of England falling in love

(3/15) Vera Wong’s Guide for Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2025) – a super fun mystery (second in the series) about a very nosy teashop owner who is trying to solve a mysterious death

(3/16) Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson (not rated – print, giveaway, 2026) – what a delight to read a book written by someone I know – so much fun

(3/18) What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon (★★★★☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – this book made me fall in love with Amsterdam, and I love the themes of self-discovery and standing on your own two feet

(3/24) Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa (★★★★★ – audiobook, Spotify, 2022) – an incredibly important book about the effects of systemic racism on the health and well-being of people of color

(3/25) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2022) – the sweetest magical story about a witch who is hired to help three young witches understand their power

(3/27) Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (★★★☆☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – a sprawling novel about two people who meet in Shanghai in their youth and reconnect in their seventies

(3/31) Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford (★★★☆☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2024) – a sweet, heartwarming novel about a 77-year-old woman who is cast on a baking show and the secret that threatens to be exposed

(3/31) Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood (★★★☆☆ – e-book, Libby, 2025) – second-chance romance and enemies-to-lovers collide in this romance that takes place on a movie set

(3/31) Unmissing by Minka Kent (★★★☆☆ – print, Amazon, 2025) – a winding psychological suspense novel about a woman who is found alive after 10 years and tries to integrate back into her husband’s life, who has since moved on

Book Stats

• # of books read: 12
• # of pages read: 4,179 pages
• Genre breakdown: fiction (4), romance (3), mystery/thriller (2), science fiction/fantasy (2), nonfiction (1)
• Format breakdown: print (7), audiobook (4), and ebook (1)
• Fastest read: The Death of Bees and Unmissing (4 days)
• Slowest read: Red, White & Royal Blue (13 days)
• Star average: 3.9

Superlatives

• The best book I read in March: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
• My favorite romance in March: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
• The book I thought I would love more than I did: Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
• The book with the best narrator: The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell
• The book I was most excited to read: Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson

Reading Miscellaneous

Unread Shelf Project | March prompt: A book with a one-word title: I went with Homeseeking, which I bought at The Book Lounge during my bookstore spree with Jenny in January. I didn’t love it, but I’m glad I read it, if that makes sense. (Books it beat out: Yellowface, Sipsworth, and Penitence.)

Where I traveled this month: In the United States, I visited California, Washington DC, and Oregon. I also traveled to Shanghai, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. I spent some time in moody Edinburgh, Scotland, snowy Calgary, and beautiful Amsterdam. And, as always, I visited many places throughout the UK.

DNFs: I had zero DNFs in March!

Something I learned from my reading: I learned about the Chinese Civil War and the Japanese occupation of China in the 1930s, which is something that was never covered in my history classes. I don’t feel as if I got enough historical context in Homeseeking about this conflict, though, and I’m eager to learn more!

What’s Coming Up in April

Want to know what I’m bringing on my reading retreat? Sure you do! I’m packing a wide selection so I have plenty to choose from:

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – This book is getting so much buzz! I already love Caro from her podcast, Diabolical Lies, and this book sounds insanely good. It’s definitely at the top of my list!
• First-Time Caller by BK Borison – I loved my first BK Borison book, and I have heard so many rave reviews about this romance. I can’t wait to read it!
• The Appeal by Janice Hallett – I bought this book in London, and it’s been sitting on my shelf, just waiting for the right time to be read.
• Wild Side by Elsie Silver – Another romance from a fave author! She hasn’t let me down yet, so I hope the same holds true for the third book in her Rose Hill series.
• Kin by Tayari Jones – Another super buzzy book that I’m looking forward to reading. I’m worried it might be a bit too literary for my tastes, but I’m going to give it a try.

What was the best book you read in March?

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Fantasy • 2022

Short synopsis: A lonely witch who secretly posts fake spell videos online is summoned to a mysterious house to teach three young witches to control their magic.

This book was adorable in every sense of the word. I loved the magical world that Mandanna created. It felt like sinking into the softest sweatshirt–cozy, warm, and comfortable. Mika, the witch at the center of the story, is full of life and incredibly easy to root for. As an orphan raised without the community she longs for, she’s spent most of her life following strict rules meant to keep witches hidden and separate. It’s led to a lonely existence for Mika until she is summoned to Nowhere House and meets an unforgettable cast of characters. Every character in this novel is fully formed and so precious to me. The children are delightful, and I just adored the the found-family dynamics. As a bonus, there is a romance woven into the story like a small gift tucked between the pages. I adored this book, and it’s already a strong contender for one of my favorite reads of the year. (Recommendation source: IRL friend, Lynn)

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (★★★☆☆)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Historical Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: An epic and intimate tale of one couple across sixty years as world events pull them together and apart, illuminating the Chinese diaspora and exploring what it means to find home far from your homeland.

This is a tough one for me to review because it’s a book so many people love, and I went in expecting to feel the same way. I’m usually a big fan of historical fiction, especially stories that immerse me in a time and place I don’t know much about, but this one just didn’t land for me emotionally. While the writing is beautiful, I never felt particularly compelled to pick it up and found myself struggling to connect with the characters. The shifting timelines were occasionally confusing, and the present-day chapters felt somewhat unnecessary to the overall story. Ultimately, it just felt like a bit of a slog to get through. I can absolutely see why this book resonates with so many readers, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford (★★★☆☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2024

Short synopsis: After nearly sixty years of marriage, Jenny Quinn takes a chance and tries out for Britain Bakes. She’s surprised to be cast, only to find that the pressures of the show stir long-buried memories and a decades-old secret that could unravel her marriage.

This novel had all the ingredients (see what I did there?) of something I should love—reality TV, an adorable older protagonist, and a touch of found family—but it ultimately left me a bit bored. The story jumps back and forth in time, which was particularly confusing on audiobook; for the first 15% or so, I genuinely thought there were two different protagonists—a young baker named Jenny and then Mrs. Quinn—when in fact they were the same person, just sixty years apart. I struggled to fully buy the central premise of Jenny keeping such a massive secret from her husband for SIXTY years, as it didn’t quite align with how her character was portrayed. That said, I loved the behind-the-scenes look at reality TV and especially the tender relationship between Jenny and her husband. What I loved most was the portrait of a marriage that has endured for sixty years, full of quiet support and deep love, and the unsettling question that runs beneath it all: how does one of them go on when the other is gone? While it’s not a book I’d rush to recommend, it makes for a light, cozy palate cleanser filled with plenty of delicious baking scenes.

What are you reading?

March 28, 2026 – Podcasting with Amber! Bri and I met earlier and recorded two episodes, and then our friend Amber joined us for an episode on being an enneagram 6!

March 29, 2026 – The doggos enjoying some ice cream on Lucy’s birthday! We have a favorite place that has a whole little ice cream shop set up in the corner of their store, just for dogs! They had half-birthday cake, half-peanut butter flavor.

March 30, 2026 – I was finally able to try a loop around the walking path that is right next door to where I live! It’s such a beautiful path, but I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to do a loop. I’m not a fast walker by any means, and I’m even slower these days with all my joint pain. It took 10 minutes, maybe? Not too bad!

March 31, 2026 – I walked by my bedroom this morning to see both girls splayed out in the sun, living their best lives. We love having so much more natural light in our new apartment!

April 1, 2026 – No April Foolin’ around here. Just a cat who looks so cozy, curled up on the bed, taking a nap.

(It wasn’t until late on April 1st that I realized I shared some big family news on April Fools’ Day, and some people may have thought I was playing a big joke. I promise I was not, and that would be a terrible thing to joke about!)

April 2, 2026 – It’s week 7 of methotrexate! As mentioned in a previous post, my rheumatologist moved me up to 20mg weekly from 15mg, and this is my second week taking that dose. I’m still not seeing much of a change in my symptoms (and I’m especially not ready to start weaning off prednisone), but it’s still early. (This pill container is much fuller in the morning; I take my mtx dose in the afternoon, separate from my other pills.)

April 3, 2026 – Action shot! LOOK AT THIS SWEET WIDDLE BEBE’S FACE. Whenever I’m sitting in my reading chair, she’ll come up to me like this and poke me with her paw. Then, I have to put my hand down so she can rub herself all over my hand. She’s so cute it hurts.

What’s the last thing you took a picture of?