October Recap!

Wow! I can’t believe it’s the end of October already! Happy Halloween everyone!  This month was pretty productive for reading, I read 5 books total, with 1 being a non-fiction read!  Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne— 4 Stars. This book was great and I’m excited to read the next book in the series.  Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey— 5 Stars. This was such a great read, and I loved every…

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The Best Tea Splurge

I love tea, and hot drinks. One of the things I hate the most about making a cup of tea is waiting for the water to boil, and hoping that the temperature is just right for whatever kind of tea I’m making in that instance. I finally decided to treat myself a little bit and I purchased an electric kettle— but not just any electric kettle, I bought a smart kettle like the mad woman I am. I…

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Book Review: Midnight at Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham

Midnight In Chernobyl: The Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster by Adam Higginbotham was infuriating. Every detail was perfectly laid out in a play by play format and it was easy to follow along. As someone that was born after the Chernobyl disaster, this book really opened my eyes to every nuance that led up to the disaster and the aftermath. I’ve always been incredibly interested in…

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November TBR!

We’re officially moving into the holiday season, and with that, some new books for the coziest season! Below is what I’ll be reading in November!  Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne. The second book in the Bloodsworn Series, and I’m looking forward to diving into this cozy fantasy. If you haven’t read my post on the first book, you can read it here. Radium Girls by Kate Moore. This is my…

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October DNF Books!

I’m definitely one of those people that can’t force themselves to finish a book if I don’t like it. If it doesn’t make me want to keep reading after the first 50-100 pages, I won’t finish it. As someone that has struggled with this my entire life, I just know that I have to be a bit more careful with the books that I read.  The first book I didn’t finish was an ARC. The Darkness Before Them by…

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Book Review: The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen

I picked up a copy of The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen from the local library, and I was extremely pleased with this book! The story was just the right amount of action, sadness, and excitement that I wanted from a fantasy novel. It is a duology, and I read the second book right afterwards, I couldn’t get enough.  Owen does a phenomenal job of making you feel right in the midst of the story.…

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Carytown Teas

I made a special trip to Carytown Teas in Richmond after work this evening and I wasn’t disappointed! It is a cute little shop and the staff was so friendly and knowledgeable! I picked up a darjeeling, which is one my favorite types of tea, and a couple of new things to try. It was definitely worth the trip into town during rush hour and I can’t wait to give the tea a try! Stay tuned for a…

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Cozy Drink Haul!

It’s starting to get chilly here in Virginia, so what better time to restock the pantry with some of my favorite cozy drinks? While I love tea, there are a couple of non-tea drinks on the list! 1. My all time favorite hot cocoa mix is from Target. I love peppermint season, so I’m a huge fan of the Good and Gather brand Peppermint Hot Cocoa. I also enjoy the other Good and Gather mixes, but this…

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Book Mail!

Today is an exciting day! I received some book mail from the lovely Laura Elizabeth, author of All Is Now Lost, a cozy mystery novel that takes place in South Carolina’s Lowcountry! Laura was nice enough to send me a copy of her first book, and I am so excited to read it. The book reminds me of growing up in the Central Florida area, with beautiful live oak trees and Spanish moss. There’s even a…

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Final Reads for October!

I’m finishing out October strong with some exciting reads, so stay tuned for these reviews as I finish up these books.  1. Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica. This book gives me the creeps. It’s a short story originally published in Spanish. Animals are no longer able to be used as a meat source due to a virus, and the world has moved to farming humans. The plot is so awful that it’s…

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Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

I don’t know what I was expecting when I picked this up at my local Barnes and Noble, it had been sitting on the “Spooky Season” display and I decided why not? Honestly, I had no expectations for this book. I know that there’s a Netflix series that came out, but I didn’t really put two and two together here. The story was definitely filled with twists and turns, and is written beautifully from…

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Tea Review: Paris by Harney and Sons

One thing that I love to enjoy while I read is a steaming cup of hot tea. I think it’s safe to say that a good bit of us also enjoy something cozy to drink while we read. One of my favorite tea brands is Harney and Sons, they have a wide range of teas for everyone, from herbal blends, to black, and many others. Some people like sachets, and some like loose leaf, for me, it’s loose leaf all the…

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ARCs I'm Currently Reading

Do you guys enjoy reading ARCs? Sometimes I find them hit or miss, but often you find a book that you’re so excited to see hit the shelves. Right now I’m reading two different ARCs with hopefully some more in the future. The first one I’m reading is The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward, which is set to release November 7, 2023. So far, the story is super entertaining. The story is a bit…

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October Book Wishlist

Obviously there can never be enough books on one’s shelf, and for me, I’m always looking to add to my collection.  Below is a list of books that I want to get my hands on this month! The first book that I’m dying to get my hands on is Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs. It came out earlier this month, and is Beowulf reimagined! The cover and everything about this book just calls out to me! I’m a…

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Book Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher is a name that I’ve heard at least a million times when it comes to fantasy. Seemed to me, everyone had an opinion on his writing, whether good or bad, so I finally decided to pick up a copy of Storm Front, which is the first book in the Dresden Files series. I ended up buying a paper copy of the book and borrowed an audio version for a long drive home from FL.   Overall, the story…

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My Top 5 Favorite Authors of All Time!

If you’re like me, you tend to stick with your favorite authors, sure you branch out every now and again, but you always come back to those select few. Maybe it’s a favorite story, or an author that reminds you of a great time in your life, for me, reading has always been a way to escape real life and take a break from reality. Some of these authors are newer to this list, and some have been on…

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Books Based Off Your Favorite Halloween Movie

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and with that, I like to enjoy spooky books too! If you’re looking for the perfect Halloween book to read this month you’ve come to the right place! If your favorite movie series is Halloween, Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street you should read The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix or Final Girls by Riley Sager. These will have you feeling…

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