The 10 Best Books & Series I Read in 2023

As 2023 comes to an end, I'm taking a look back at the year. One of my favorite ways to do this is to pick my favorite books and series from the year before. It's become a bit of a tradition for me since the first time I published a best of book post for 2019, and it's one of my most favorite posts of the entire year. That said, it's not an easy post, especially when I've read a significant amount. Usually, I do a best books so far post in the summer, but I didn't get around to it this year because, well, life, so this year's best of books post had to start from scratch.

My reading looked a little bit different this year. For one thing, I launched my One Woman Book Club. If you're not familiar with it, I decided that my TBR list had gotten way out of control and came up with a way to start clearing it out. I chose twelve books from my TBR and spread them out over the year. I'm happy to say that four of the ten best books I read this year came from my book club.

This year's best of books has historical fiction, realistic fiction, mystery, and fantasy in pretty equal measure. Let's get to it! In no particular order, here are my favorite books and series from 2023.

The Night Tiger

Author: Yangsze Choo

This historical fiction novel is one of the best I've ever read. Set in 1930s Malaya, it follows the interconnected lives of Ji Lin and Ren. Ji Lin is secretly working as a dancehall girl to pay off her mother's debts, while Ren is on a mission to find his dead master's missing finger. That finger ends up in Ji Lin's possession, and she enlists the help of her stepbrother, Shin, to return it. Ji Lin and Ren's paths eventually cross, but it's a fateful night. The relationships in this book are so complex, and the way the author wove the mysteries around the legend of the weretiger was fantastic.

The Thorne Witches

Author: T. M. Cromer

This became one of my most favorite magical series, and it's for grown-ups! The series starts with the five Thorne sisters working to revive their mother from a magically-induced coma after she was shot with a poisoned bullet. Their father/uncle (you need to read the books to understand that) pairs each sister with their one true love to retrieve the artifacts needed to wake their mother, his one true love, Aurora. Then there is the rekindling of several relationships in the next books while the family takes on the Witches' Council and a group known as the Desorcelers whose mission is to eradicate all witches and warlocks.

Lost Boys series

Author: Emilia Finn

It should be no secret by now that Emilia Finn is one of my favorite authors. I love 99% of the characters she creates, and this series is no exception. It's part of the Rollers' world with some crossover into the Mayet Justice series, of which I've only read the first book. Straight-up crime books aren't really my thing. In each of these books, the male main characters are seeking redemption of some sort and find it in their better halves. Each can be read as a stand-alone since there's no over-arching plot line but there are spoilers in some of the the other books, so it's best to read them in order.

Beautiful Ruins

Author: Jess Walter

This is the first entry from the 2023 One Woman Book Club. It was the pick-of-the-month for March. This was one of the best-written dual timeline books I've read. The present timeline was told in chronological order, but the past timeline was not always in order. However, I never felt lost or confused with the storyline.

In the 1960s, an actress who believes she is dying checks into a run-down hotel on an isolated Italian island. Turns out, Dee is not dying but rather pregnant by actor Richard Burton, and the set doctor lied about her condition to get her away from him. The studio expects Dee to end the pregnancy, but she keeps the baby, marries an author she meets at the hotel and passes the baby off as his. The story follows all the things that happen after that while revisiting the events of the past that explain the why.

Wicked Witches, Curses and Kisses series

Author: Juliann Whicker

This series was formerly titled the Rosewood Academy of Witches and Mages. I read it back in May, and fell in love. It's very different from other books I've read in an almost crazy way. I think the best word to describe the series is quirky. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea. Anyway, Poppy isn't a typical witch. She doesn't actually have any magic, but she enrolls in magic school anyway. Her goal? Find an unlovable mage to marry in order to meet the requirements of her grandmother's will so that she can save her home and mother. But underneath the lack of magic, Poppy has a huge secret.

Last Summer Boys

Author: Bill Rivers

This is our second entry from the 2023 One Woman Book Club. Jack doesn't want his oldest brother, Pete, to be drafted and sent to Vietnam. When his cousin Frankie comes to spend the summer from the city, Jack enlists him in his plan to turn Pete into a hero so he'll get to stay home. But that summer turns into much more than saving Pete.

The Deadwood Series

Author: Marie Mistry

This is the series that introduced me to an author who's quickly becoming one of my favorites. Since reading this witchy pirate story, I've read two other series by Marie Mistry. This is the story of Nilsa, an assassin sworn to serve the Moon Goddess. When the high priestess of the local Moon and Sun covens are both killed, Nilsa is the prime suspect. To save her life, she takes refuge on board the Deadwood, a notorious pirate ship that also serves as the home of the mates she's been told she would never have. What starts as a journey to discover the priestesses' killers turns into a much bigger quest to save an entire species from an evil queen.

The Bennet Women

Author: Eden Appiah-Kubi

This is another of my One Woman Book Club picks. It is a modernized retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I thought the author did a really nice job of paying homage to how modern the original book was for its time. It's a nice parallel to the original story, but the author did a wonderful job working in issues that could only be part of the modern world.

EJ is a resident assistant at Bennet House, the only all-women dorm at Longbourn University. Her two best friends, Jamie and Tessa, are also residents. EJ is a black woman pursuing a career in engineering; Jamie is a trans woman pursuing a career in theater; and Tessa is an astronomy major with major guy troubles. When Jamie meets and falls for the son of a Hollywood producer, EJ is begrudgingly paired up with his best friend, an actor fresh off a very bad, very public break-up with a famous singer. Yep, you guessed it - EJ and Will are our modern-day Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Their first meeting is horrendous, but they agree to be civil for the sake of their best friends. What follows are a lot of bumps in the road for both EJ and Will, together and separate.

Woman on Fire

Author: Lisa Barr

This was my One Woman Book Club pick for September, and it was right up my alley. I can't resist books about journalists!

Jules Roth has just graduated from journalism school, and there's only one job she wants - to be part of Dan Mansfield's investigative team. Her first assignment? To help Mansfield investigate Woman on Fire, the last painting of Ernst Engel, the leader of the German Expressionist movement who was executed by the Nazis. The painting has been missing since World War II and features a former Miss Germany who was executed for having a relationship with a Jewish banker. But they're not the only ones looking for the painting, and their competition will stop at nothing to claim it.

The Twisted Kingdom series

Author: Frost Kay

Last, but certainly not least, is a series that hasn't been featured on the blog yet as I just read it in December, but this world of reimagined fairy tales ensnared my imagination from book one. So if you have a soft spot for fairy tale retellings like me, you should absolutely check these out.

The first three books are a reimagined version of Snow White, except Snow White isn't actually one of the characters. Instead, it's told from the perspective of the huntsman...but she's a woman. Tempest is the first-ever female hound, and as such finds herself the unwilling recipient of the corrupt king's desire. In an effort to put him off, she accepts the mission to dismantle the Dark Court, except what she finds there is nothing like what she expected and her mission soon changes to take down the king. Tempest is not the main character in the next three books, although her presence is definitely there. Book four is a reimagining of Beauty and the Beast; it's pretty straightforward other than having some elements of Jack and the Beanstalk worked in. Book five is a reimagining of Robin Hood in which the leader of the merry men is female. Book six is a Little Red Riding Hood-Cinderella mash-up and a nice ending to the overall story arc.

What I Read October & November 2023

I have a confession. I have not read either of the books on my book club schedule for October or November. I did start "The Curse of Jenny Greene" in October, but it just wasn't what I was craving at the time, and I ultimately never went back to finish it. At this point, I don't know that I will. I enjoy Kimberly Loth's work usually, but this story just isn't one that I'm interested in at the moment. I'm going to blame it on the fact that I've been reading so much Edgar Allan Poe with my seventh graders. I need a break from the macabre.

I didn't even crack "From a Distant Star" in November. November was just a hectic month all the way around, and I spent most of my free time rereading some of my favorites. I heard that referred to as comfort reads, and that's exactly what I think it is. I said I would try to read this during December but  didn't make any promises, and so far it hasn't been opened.

I've said it in other posts, but I've got a lot going on, y'all, and I refuse to spend my time doing or reading something I'm not really into. Anyway, these are the books I did read in October and November.

Reborn in Flames

Author: M. Sinclair

I've been reading a lot of M. Sinclair lately. I just really like how she crafts her characters...usually. This one was a miss for me. I finished the book, but I didn't really like the main character. Maya has had an abusive life. She spent her childhood living in the basement of a religious cult trying to rid her of a demon. When her mother and boyfriend move them out, things don't get better, although Maya does finally get to go to school for the first time where she meets a group of shifters who want to rescue her from her life. Oh, and turns out she's a rare and much sought after Phoenix shifter.

Daughter of Cain series

Author: Marie Mistry

Marie Mistry is a newly discovered author for me, but I quickly fell in love with her style. The Daughter of Cain series is a vampire-lycan-ghoul series, which is not something I've been into in the last several years, but this is definitely not your typical vampire romance. After unintentionally betraying her sire, Cain, by falling in love with a human plotting to overthrow him, Evelyn is trapped in silver coffin underground for almost two hundred years. When Cain brings her out, he forces her to bond with a pack of his warriors...who are part of the rebellion still trying to bring his evil reign to an end.

The Enchanter's Blood and The King's Bargain (Arsyn Morgan series book 1-2)

Author: J.A. Stowe

I've enjoyed what I've read of this series so far, but it's incomplete so I decided to take a break until it's closer to completion. Arsyn Morgan is a hunter who has left the fold of her evil family and put her skills and magic to a better use breaking curses. She's been living under the radar but it can't last.

But Did You Die? series

Author: Sedona Ash

I'm not going to lie. All I remember about this series is all the ridiculous ways this girl dies. According to my Kindle history I read all of them...I just don't remember the actual plot. I think at the time I just needed something amusing. It must have had some substance if I actually finished the entire series, though.

Dead to the World (Crossroads Queen series)

Author: Annabel Chase

This author is an old favorite, and this first book of the Crossroads Queen series did not disappoint. I will eventually finish this series, but it's a bit more serious than I'm currently in the mood for. Lorelei Clay has just moved into a rundown castle in a small Pennsylvania town that's full of the supernatural - something she would have avoided had she known. While supernatural herself, Lorelei doesn't fit with any of the other species and is content to live in isolation until she's asked to help find a missing woman.

Conquered and Captured (Inertia series book 1-2)

Author: Devyn Sinclair

The first book of this series captured my attention, but it fizzled in book two for me. I might read the final book in the series eventually, but I kind of lost interest. Safiya is what's called an Inert, a person who has no magic of their own but can absorb excess magic from others. In the kingdom where she lives, Safiya is a nameless slave, but she's lasted longer and absorbed more magic than any other inerts before her, and now the king wants her for his own.

The Fifth Nicnevin series book 1-3

Author: Marie Mistry

Man, I fell in love with this beautiful series. Too bad the final book hasn't been released yet. The publish date on Amazon says October but the author note says first half of the year, so hopefully I won't have to wait too long. Rose is the lost queen of Faerie, raised in the human realm where she believed herself to be sick and weak. Now, she has returned to the home she's never known to claim the throne and right the realm, but first she will have to deal with the rulers of the different courts.

Jinxed (Lost Boys 5)

Author: Emilia Finn

Detective Banks finally gets his own book! This book takes a detour from the usual route of my favorite Emilia Finn books. It's set in the city instead of the Rollers' town, and the other characters are from a different series by Finn, Mayet Justice, of which I've only read book one. It's more of a cop series so I haven't dived into them...but now I might have to. Okay, so, Rory has the worst luck in the world. She's still recovering from an accident (that was in Lost Boys book 4) and her mom is dying from cancer. On her way home from visiting her mom one night, Rory witnesses a murder and is now at the top of the mafia hit list. When her case crosses his desk on the other side of the country, Detective Banks takes vacation and flies to her rescue.

The Dead and the Not So Dead trilogy

Author: M. Sinclair

I told you I'd been reading a lot of M. Sinclair lately. Narcissa is literally the Queen of the Dead, at least in New Orleans where she also reigns over the supernatural population. It's a gig her family has had for centuries, and Narcissa is good at it. When two demons start making mischief and try to take her city, Narcissa pulls out all the stops to protect the streets she calls home.

Falling Shadows (Silvercrest Academy 1)

Author: KC Kean

I wanted this to be good, which is why I finished the book, but it just wasn't what I was looking for. Raven and her mom have spent most of her life living in Shadowmoor, a slum on the border of the country, where every day is a fight just to survive. Then, Raven's father shows up and forces her to attend Silvercrest Academy where she'll train to become a warrior. There's just one problem with his plan - Raven doesn't have any magic.

My Holiday Playlist

Have I ever done a playlist on the blog? Pretty sure I haven't. This school year, so far, hasn't given me much time to plan and post quality content, including my usual holiday line-up of different gift guides, books to read, and movies to watch. I didn't post as much last year, but it wasn't this bad!

Anyway, one of the fastest ways for me to get into the holiday spirit is with a movie or music, so this year I thought I would share some of my favorite holiday songs. These are a mix of classics and newer songs

"White Christmas" is my favorite holiday movie. I always watch it at least once - usually more than that! Although there are tons of versions of this song, Bing Crosby's will always reign supreme. *side-eyes Katy Perry*

Elvis is always a good choice, even if "Blue Christmas" isn't exactly a happy song. There's just something about Elvis's voice in this song.

Nat King Cole's version of "The Christmas Song" is the only one worth listening to. I said what I said.

"Meet Me in St. Louis" is another of my favorite holiday movies, even though I guess it's not technically a Christmas movie. That said, it is the first time Judy Garland sang "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and in this case the first remains the best.

I can't pinpoint exactly why I love this song, but "Jingle Bell Rock" sung by Bobby Helms is a must for my holiday playlist.

Funny story about this song. When Alexis was a baby, I would sing or hum "Silver Bells" to get her to settle down for a nap or bedtime.

Did you think this song wasn't going to make it? I'm pretty sure it would be blasphemous not to include "All I Want for Christmas is You" by the queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey.

"Christmas in the Sand" by Colbie Cailat is a new one for me this year, but I fell in love with this song as soon as I heard it.

"Wrap Me Up" by Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor is the Christmas bop I didn't know I needed.

"Last Christmas" has been remade by almost every singer I can think of, but the original by Wham! is still my favorite.

"Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney is another of those songs I can't imagine not hearing this time of year.

Andy Williams is the king of holiday songs, it seems, because another of his makes my list. "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is iconic, and his version is definitely the best.

You've probably noticed that there aren't as many newer songs on this list as classics, but Arianna Grande's "Santa Tell Me" earns its spot. In fact, I didn't realize this was an original song for a long time.

I can't hear Brenda Lee's "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree" without immediately thinking of "Home Alone."

"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses is not a new song, but I heard it for the first time this year while out shopping. It amused both me and my husband, so it had to make the list.

"Sleigh Ride" is another holiday classic that I love but only when it's by The Ronettes.

I think "Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry is in every Christmas movie ever made, especially if said movie has a scene where people are rushing around.

Would a holiday playlist really be complete without "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives? I think not.

There are lots of versions of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," but I really love Michael Buble's version.

You really can't go wrong with any of Pentatonix's holiday songs, but their version of "Mary Did You Know?" is my favorite of theirs.

I keep hearing Gwen Stefani's Christmas song with Blake Shelton this year, which is cool, but I actually really love her solo tune, "My Gift is You."

There is so much controversy surrounding "Baby It’s Cold Outside," which always kind of baffles me considering who wrote it and why. Anyway, I tend to not like remakes of classics, but John Legend and Kelly Clarkson give us a modern version that's not cringe-worthy.

I know I gave Katy Perry the side eye earlier over her cover of "White Christmas" (it's truly terrible, y'all), but I love her original song, "Cozy Little Christmas." It's everything you expect a Katy Perry song to be. The music video is cute, too, but I couldn't find it through the plugin I had to use for the post.

Okay, so, I love the Jonas Brothers, and "Like It's Christmas" is perfect.

"Not Another Christmas Song" by Blink 182 is definitely not a traditional Christmas song. I mean, it says it right in the lyrics. It makes my list because it gives me all the 90s-early 2000s feels. I also like "I Won't Be Home for Christmas."

"My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears gives me the same kind of vibes as Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You."

There are a ton of different versions of "Winter Wonderland," but I like this one by Eurythmics .

"Little Saint Nick" by The Beach Boys is just fun.

I know there are a ton of other Christmas songs out there, and that a lot of so-called favorites didn't make my list (sorry, "Feliz Navidad" but you're annoying). Did your favorite make my list? What would you add?

3 Things Saving My Sanity Right Now

There are five days left to Christmas! How is that possible?! It feels like just yesterday we were on Thanksgiving Break... Although, to be fair, the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks flies by super quickly. There's progress monitoring tests to be given, holiday shopping to be done, and all the regular parts of life to see to.

I feel like, though, that my life has been one big blur since the end of summer. I chose this path, obviously, but going through teacher certification while teaching is no joke, y'all. It's a lot. I did, thankfully, get ahead on the work and had a few weeks where I felt like I could breathe a little easier, but I've still got a lot to get through to be fully done.

So to say that this nearly three-week break is needed would be a major understatement. I've got two things to grade, four assignments to do for my program, and I need to actually plan for when students come back in January while making sure I put together something that works for the big part of my certification course since that will be what ultimately determines if I pass or fail.

Clearly my commitment to the blog has fallen to the wayside over the last few months as I muddle my way through everything else that's going on in my life. This isn't a catch-up post, though. I just wanted to take a little time to share three products that have made my life a tad bit easier the last several weeks.

Aussie Second Day Curl Refresher

This is my go-to product for keeping my waves/curls looking decent between washes. My favorite part about this spray is how good it smells.

Nivea Tinted Lip Balm

I discovered this while searching for my favorite chapstick, which I never did find... Lipstick is not something I really have time for at school, mostly because I can't reapply in the middle of a class without it being a big deal. This tinted balm helps fill that gap, and I don't even need a mirror to use it!

Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream

Okay, so this cream is more expensive than I typically share, but it really is that good. I got this in a FabFitFun box and have fallen in love. Every time I use it, my skin sighs in relief. It helps keep my pores clear, too, which is pretty amazing.

Working Mom's Christmas: 20 Gift Ideas for the Working Woman in Your Life

I'm a little late with this year's Working Moms Gift Guide, but I couldn't not publish what has become one of my favorite yearly posts. Every year I try to round gift ideas for all types of working moms. This year's gifts are meant to be more of a guide than actual links to shop since we're less than ten days from Christmas already. However, many of the items you'll find on this list are still available before Christmas Eve.

1. Cute Tote Bag - Having a good tote bag is a must for a working mom. We carry everything with us all the time! This one is cute and practical. There are 16 patterns to choose from.

2. Collegiate Pouches - These are great for the college sports loving women in your life. Sadly, though, they don't have ALL colleges and universities, including my own alma mater, but there are more than two dozen to choose from.

3. Belt Bag - Sometimes you need the essentials without carrying a full-size purse. Belt bags are like a fanny pack only way cooler. They free up your hands and are perfect for travel or going places like a theme park or zoo.

4. Crossbody Bag - If a belt bag isn't your thing, but you also don't want to carry a full-size purse, this cute crossbody bag is for you!

5. Deodorant Remover Sponges - Deodorant stains are a quick way to ruin a morning, especially if you don't have a fast way of removing them. These deodorant-removing sponges would make a great stocking stuffer.

6. Microfiber Hair Wrap - These hair wraps are so much more comfortable than wrapping a full-sized towel around your head, not to mention they're better for your hair in terms of damage. You can find these pretty much everywhere.

7. Towel Wrap - If you're like me and hate the idea of getting dressed right out of the shower but don't want to walk around naked, this is what you need.

8. Make-Up Removing Cloths - You can find these pretty much anywhere, but I liked the patterns on these. And they really do work! These cloths have made my nightly bedtime routine so much smoother.

9. Hot-Cold Face Mask - Self-care gifts are always a win, and this one has multiple purposes!

10. Bandeau Headband - These headbands are so much more than a headband. You can wear them so many ways, including as a beanie-style hat!

11. Hair Clip - I've never met a working mama that hasn't needed to pull her hair back out of her face at some point. A cute clip like this one will make it look intentional. What I like about this one is that it's not a claw-style clip, which can be uncomfortable.

12. Over-the-Knee Cozy Socks - You really can't go wrong with socks, especially when they're meant purely for comfort.

13. Boho Socks - I love cool socks, and these boho ones are right up my alley.

14. Therapy Dough - This is a grown-up version of play-doh that combines stress relief and aromatherapy. There are four scents to choose from.

15. Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle - These are really cool. Instead of putting the puzzle together using a visual, you read a mystery and let the clues guide you.

16. Glitter Hearts Toilet Bombs - I'm not going to lie. These made me laugh when I first saw them. Then I immediately thought of several ladies they would be perfect for! These would be great coworker or gag gifts.

17. Guardian Angel Worry Doll - I saw this and instantly thought of my own working mama. You can find versions of these in a lot of places. I just liked the way this one looked.

18. Stained Glass Gemstone Suncatcher - How gorgeous are these? I can see one hanging in the window over my kitchen sink or the window in my home office or even in the window of my classroom.

19. Carved Wood Trinket Dish - I love a good trinket dish, and these wooden ones are so stinking cute!

20. Folk Art Coffee Mug - I think these mugs make the list every year, but they really are so cute, and they're always adding new styles. There are more than a doze to choose from!

Tips for Dressing Cold When It's Not Cold

Cooler weather has finally arrived in the South, and it looks like it's going to stick around. Although we' have had a few colder days recently, it's not been enough for me to break out my thick knits or pile on the layers just yet.

That doesn't mean dressing for the season is completely out of the realm of possibilities, though! You just have to be creative. Here are some of my favorite tricks for dressing cold even when it's not.

Wear Darker Colors/Patterns

This is the easiest way to usher in the season. Trade out your bright, summery colors and prints for darker hues and patterns. I'm a big fan of burgundy and olive green, but blacks and browns are always good choices.

It's also the season for plaid! I don't typically wear plaid on its own. I like to layer it over a graphic t-shirt or solid-colored shirt or underneath a jacket, like in the photos below (all from last year).

If you really want to be on trend, try shades of red and color blocking.

Add in Leopard Print

This might be my favorite trick. It's really been too warm here to bust out a full cold weather wardrobe, but a little leopard print goes a long way. Leopard-print sneakers have been my go-to here lately as a way to incorporate the season into my daily looks, although apparently I've taken zero pictures of outfits with them. I've been mostly pairing them with darker-colored graphic t-shirts and a variation of different bottoms.

Of course, sneakers aren't your only option. If you work in an office, try a pair of leopard-print heels or sleek flats or even a leopard-print belt. Not enough? Go the extra mile with a leopard-print skirt. It doesn't even have to be the traditional brown leopard print. Try black or green!

Think Texture!

Texture is a quick way to give the appearance of cozy warmth without giving yourself a heat stroke. Silk is one of the big trends this year, which is great for me considering my love of silk slip skirts, but you can also try corduroy, leather, tweed, suede, wool, or a ribbed knit that's not necessarily a sweater - I'm seeing a lot of skirt options.

One of the easiest ways I've found to incorporate texture is with a jacket. I have a cropped corduroy jacket that I love, a wool-blend shacket that is the perfect weight, and a brown leather jacket with a hood that is my go-to for almost any occasion.

Another easy way to add some texture is with a skirt, like the ones below. Houndstooth is a classic that never goes out of style; faux leather adds a bit of edge to what would otherwise be a standard outfit; and you just can't go wrong with plaid wool.

Need some ideas for how to layer different textures? Check out this helpful how-to guide.

Try a Sweater Vest

Instead of a full-on sweater, try a cooler option. This is one of those trends that I love but struggle to style on myself. I never know what shirt to wear underneath my sweater vests other than something with a collar, and I just can't bring myself to wear them with nothing underneath. 

Change Your Shoes

I feel like this one should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Swap out your sandals for ankle boots or sneakers. It hasn't been cold enough for tall boots here yet, but my high-top sneakers and Chelsea boots are going a long way to converting my looks to be more seasonally-appropriate.

Weekly Wisdom + Life Update

Hey, y'all! It's been awhile since I did one of these check-ins, huh? I would like to say that I've come here to tell you that activity on the blog is about to pick back up and be more consistent, but I can't.

Life has been pretty hectic lately. All aspects. Even my Fall Break! I've always been the type of person who struggles with downtime, especially extended periods of it. I guess when you've never really had any, you get used to always needing to be productive. But lately I've been struggling to find any downtime at all...especially mentally. I can take a day to do nothing, but I can't always turn my brain off.

What I'm trying to say is that I'll try to be more consistent with blog content, but I can't realistically promise multiple posts a week right now. My mental load is pretty high these days, making it tough to be creative. That said, I'm pretty well planned out for the rest of this calendar year for school, so that does free up some of my brain space. However, I do have a tower of assignments for my teacher certification course to slog through between now and the end of November. I'm trying to work ahead, though, so that I can breathe a little freer this nine weeks. I've managed to get one out-of-district field experience completed, and I only need two more to get my in-district ones out of the way.

In other news...I passed my certification tests! I've had my results for awhile, and I'm pretty sure I posted about it on social media, but I never got around to sharing it here. So that's a big weight off my shoulders.

I'm sure I'm leaving other stuff out. Life has been moving so quickly that it's easy to forget things. Anyway, I'm going to end with a photo dump from our annual visit to Scarecrows in the Gardens. This year's theme had something to do with famous art.

What I Read September 2023

Man, I am so late in getting this reading roundup out to you guys. We're basically halfway through October already! I would apologize, but I've been incredibly busy with a ton of homework, planning for the second quarter of school, and life in general.

At first glance, it appears as if reading fell to the wayside for September. However, I spent the first part of the month re-reading a favorite series that had been on my mind for awhile. A comfort read, if you will. I usually don't include those in my reviews, since I've already reviewed them at some point on the blog. It was the All the Pretty Monsters series by Kristy Cunning, if you're interested.

Smile Like You Mean It

Author: Willow Hadley

This is the first book in the Charlotte Reynolds series, which isn't complete and has been some time since the last book released. That's not the reason I decided not to continue with the series, though. I decided not to continue because I felt disconnected from the story. The background felt under-developed, and I had a lot of questions about some of the already-established situations that I felt like the author did not go into enough detail.

The book starts with our main female character, Charlotte, being released from her second stint in juvenile detention, but instead of being sent to another group home, Charlotte is released into the care of her uncle whom she hasn't seen since her father died. Charlotte moves in with Arthur and his adopted stepson, Sebastian, and is quickly accepted into her pseudo-cousin's friend group. Honestly, I don't even remember what the main conflict of the book was, which should give you an idea of how underwhelming I found it to be.

Brutal and Vicious (A Flawed series books 2-3)

Author: Auryn Hadley & Kitty Cox

I'm loving this spin-off of the Gamer Girls series so much. This group of characters are all in the Gamer Girls series, but with the exception of Knock they're all in the background. And even Knock isn't really a main character in the others. You know they're all there, and you know they're all integral in how the overall plot plays out in the end, but you don't know what exactly they're doing. This series shows you, and it's fantastic. I don't think you have to read Gamer Girls first to enjoy this series, but I think reading the other first would be beneficial.

Woman on Fire

Author: Lisa Barr

This month, I ended with my One Woman Book Club pick. I wasn't sure I was going to make it in time for this book roundup, but I managed to finish the book on the last day of the month. It was fantastic.

Jules Roth is a fresh-out-of-college journalist who's just landed her dream job as a member of her hero's investigative team. Dan Mansfield has just agreed to investigate a painting that's been missing since World War II for his friend, world-renowned shoe designer, Ellis Baum. The painting, Woman on Fire, is the last painting by Ernst Engel, who was the leader of the German Expressionist movement and executed by the Nazis, and features Ellis's mother, a former Miss Germany who was executed for having a relationship with a Jewish banker. The trio enlist the help of Ellis's grandson, Adam, a famous artist turned recluse after nearly dying from a drug overdose, to find the painting, which is also being sought by a ruthless collector and dealer, Margeaux de Laurent.

Bonus - Read Alouds with Alexis

Wishtree

Author: Katherine Applegate

This was such a good read-aloud, and one that I would recommend to any parent. Wishtree is told from the perspective of an oak tree, Red. Red has been a part of the neighborhood for many "rings," and has many tales to tell. Once a year, people bring their wishes and tie them to her branches. Red thought she'd seen it all until a new family moves in and is not welcomed. Now, Red decides she must do more than observe. She must act, and this act may be her last.

Which Witch?

Author: Eva Ibbotson

This was one of my favorite books when I was around Alexis's age. The cover you're seeing is one of the newer editions (2008, I believe). It does not match my copy. Anyway, this is a fun read, especially around Halloween. Arriman the Awful is a famous wizard responsible for keeping darkness alive in the land. When a fortune teller predicts his replacement will soon come, he creates a 'monster' to watch for him, but he never comes so, following the advice of his butler, Arriman decides to get married. He devises a contest for all the local witches, including Belladonna, a white witch who is desperately in love with Arriman but who stands no chance of winning the competition...until she meets Terrance and finds her familiar.