Monthly Wrap Up | March 2020


WHAT HAPPENED IN MARCH
  • What is there to say about March? It started off shaky and continued to go downhill. 
  • The Husband and I have been working from home and isolating since March 16. I actually have zero issue with staying at home. None. I am not a social person on the best of days so the whole social distance thing? I've been practicing for this my whole life.  
  • My mother, on the other hand, Is. Not. Getting. It. I don't even know what to say anymore. She's not grasping the seriousness of the situation and every time I talk to her I hear about how she "had" to run to the grocery store/Target/pharmacy/etc. It's like beating my head against the wall. I'm concerned for her but also frustrated beyond belief. 
  • I expected to get loads of reading done once the whole self-isolating thing took effect, but I found I had trouble concentrating on anything for too long. So my reading basically stayed at its normal level. 

WHAT I READ IN MARCH


I read eight books in March and, considering that I was having trouble concentrating on anything in the past couple weeks, I consider it a success. There was on old favorite, a brand new favorite, and one slight disappointment - but all in all it was a good reading month.


(* denotes an audio book)

FORMATS
Total Read: 8
2 physical books
4 audiobooks
2 e-books
(2 ARCs: The Honey-Don't List, Anticipating Spring)

TOP OF THE HEAP
Still and Regretting You
Still was jaw-droppingly good and gave me my first five star read of the year.  Kennedy Ryan's talent at creating realistic characters and emotionally charged stories is just stunning. Regretting You was a close second. Opening up a book by Colleen Hoover is such a comforting feeling. It's like sinking into a story that I know will probably hurt my heart, but I also know that I'll love the characters and feel like I know them inside and out. 

THE ONE THAT ENDED A SERIES
Anticipating Spring
Lora Richardson further cemented herself as one of the few authors that still makes me read YA. With Anticipating Spring, she completed her Unexpected Love series and it was so bittersweet. I will miss the friend group in these books but it also ended with just the right couple and I was so happy with the outcome. 

THE ONE I WILL ALWAYS LOVE
Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda
If ever I needed to revisit one of my favorite fictional characters from one of my favorite books it was this month. I've lost count of how many times I've read and listened to Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda but it never gets old. I love Simon, I love his friend group, I love Blue, and I love his parents and sisters. The story is filled with so much humor and heart and it never fails to make me happy.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BLOG

I had 17 blog posts in March and shared seven reviews: 

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING

Where the Lost Wander - Amy Harmon
I just started the arc of Where the Lost Wander yesterday and I'm already feeling pulled into the story. I actually convinced my husband to read it, too. But even though we started at virtually the same time, naturally he's already far beyond where I'm at. He's such a fast reader. I thought it would be fun to discuss as we went along but at this rate he'll be done by the time I get to the 25% mark. LOL 


WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE READ IN MARCH?

29 comments

  1. We've been isolating for three weeks, and like you I thought I'd get ahead on my reading, but can't focus or enjoy my reading like I usually do. I've only been able to listen to audio, and it's taken me the three weeks to finish half a.book. I can see why you're frustrated and worried about your mom. We're trying to limit shopping to once every two weeks. I hope you get through to her. Still and Regretting You sound great! Both of them are on. my TBR.

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. We really stocked up a few weeks ago so no grocery trips have been needed. I did place a small order this afternoon for some fresh stuff but it's for pick-up. I don't like going in anywhere if it's not absolutely necessary.

      I hope you'll love both Still and Regretting You if/when you get to them!

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  2. I have a copy of Regretting You, so I'm glad to hear you loved it!

    I would be worried about my mom, too! My own mom has been working from home. She only lives a little more than a mile from us, but we still haven't really seen each other much. We talk on the phone all the time, though.

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    1. Staying apart is tough but I'm thankful we have so many options for keeping in touch. I just introduced my mom to FaceTime last week and she thinks it's the best thing ever. LOL

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  3. I’m so happy that my parents are taking this seriously. They’ve barely gone out in weeks. I hope your mother calms down and you have a good April.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Good for your parents! That's great that they're taking the warning so seriously. I wish everyone was.

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  4. Yeah, my mom, the extrovert, is struggling, but me and dad are living our best introvert lives. Maybe you didn't read a million books, but you had two five star ratings. So, yeah!!

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    1. Well, my mom is definitely an extrovert so maybe that's why she's struggling. But I'm happy as a clam at home. :) And two 5 star reads is a mega success for me!

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  5. I hope you can get through to your mom. Happy April, stay safe!

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    1. Thanks Freda. Hopefully April will see things turn around for us all.

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  6. I was having a hard time reading, too. I'm finally back on track. At least you're reading some great books!

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    1. Glad your reading is back on track, Deanna! I've started reading Where the Lost Wander and while I'm totally enjoying it, it's also a bit slow-going. It's one I want to savor, not fly through.

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  7. I read Regretting You as well, I actually liked the story but it makes you wonder what the husband and sister did what they did. Thanks for sharing :)

    Beena @ Beena Khan

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    1. The husband's and sister's actions definitely altered the lives of everyone else. Tragically so. I thought Hoover did a fantastic job of showing the ripple effects.

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  8. Lots of people have been complaining about parents who just don't get the idea of only going out when it's absolutely necessary. It's hard when you need to treat your parents like kids and chastise them!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Yes, I've had several others friends around my age mention they are going through the same thing with their parents. So it's definitely not just my mom. And it is hard to be in the position of wanting to chastise her!

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  9. I was in a serious reading slump in March too, but now things have got better. Simon vs is a really heartwarming book! Stay stafe.

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    1. Glad your reading has picked up. Hopefully we will both have a great reading month in April.

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  10. You've done so well to read eight books during March. I'm trying to read more in April xo

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    1. Thanks. Hopefully we both get in some good reads in April.

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  11. "I've been practicing for this my whole life." Ha right? I could live with this too! But yes I've struggled a bit with my mom too. she knows she's high risk and really shouldn't go out, but then... she did. *sigh* We've been getting stuff for her of course but she decided she needed something right then and bam off she went. She's not too bad though I guess- I've heard some people say their parents are not cooperating AT ALL. It is frustrating!

    Anyway March was kind of a mess huh? Let's hope this doesn't last too long...

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    1. Yeah, y mom just isn't getting it. She'll mention all the stuff she sees on the news and yet then she turns around and goes to the grocery store for 2 items. I keep trying to impress the seriousness of the situation but I can't force her to stay at home. We talked about having her come stay with us but the sad fact is that I couldn't trust her to make smart decisions and not put *us* at risk.

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  12. You are right to feel concerned about your mom Tanya but yes, you can't do much more I fear! And I loved Where the Lost Wander!

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    1. I'm loving it so far, Sophie! Wish I could just sit and read all day but this pesky WFH thing keeps getting in the way. :)

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  13. Oh dear, I'm worried about your mom. Just make sure she's in all protective gear if she goes outside. Or maybe someone is willing enough to go grocery shopping for her?

    I have so many books on your READ list that I haven't got into yet. I'm in the mood to read but I just couldn't get into the story these days. Here's hoping April will be a good reading month for us!

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    1. We offer all the time to do her shopping and she nods and says okay... and then a few days later she's telling us about how she went to the store that day. Gah! I don't even know what to say anymore.

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  14. I am glad I'm not the only one that isn't struggling with not leaving the house. I was beginning to think I was the only one. I can relate to how frustrating that is dealing with your mom! I had to keep getting on to my mom. Now she's finally doing pick up for groceries.

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    1. It's definitely not just you. :) My sister was just complaining this morning about being stir crazy at home and I was thinking, "nope, I'm just fine!"

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  15. It's crazy all the people that just are not getting it when it comes to social distancing. I know my sister in law goes out to the stores a lot too, and it makes me so nervous!! It's definitely been a weird few weeks for sure. I didn't read a TON in March, but I think April is off to a better start.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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