My reading suffered a lot in March and April thanks to my health issues. Even though I didn’t feel like starting any new-to-me books in May, I did reread the first three Harry Potter books via audio. I then finished rereading the series in June.
Because I didn’t read any new-to-me books in June either, this post’s more about updating my year-to-date stats and posting my plans for July than anything else. I’m hoping my reading will get back on track in July with some new-to-me books.
I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) that life is full of dialectics, or two opposing truths. In this case, the two opposing truths are: 1) I don’t agree with JKR’s stance regarding trans people, and 2) I still love Harry Potter.
Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, andshowcase books and other things.
Feeling
The last few months have been a bit rough. I’ve been dealing with some health issues again. At the end of March, I had a really bad bout of the stomach flu.
In April and May, I started having bladder pain. I tested positive for a bladder infection and got put on antibiotics for the third time in the last four to five months. Unfortunately, my bladder pain didn’t stop and after some tests, my doctor diagnosed me with interstitial cystitis. This means my body’s changing the pH of my urine, making it more acidic than it should be and inflaming the lining. I now have to avoid eating and drinking more acidic things–no more coffee, citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, etc.–at least until the lining in my bladder has become less inflamed.
By June, I was feeling better. I decided not to start blogging until now, though, because I just need to chill and not worry about my health or blogging.
Blogging
Here’s what I posted during the first week of March before I stopped blogging:
Because of my health, my reading suffered a lot in March, April, and the first part of May. When I started feeling like I wanted to read again, I didn’t feel like starting anything new so I decided to listen to some comfort read audiobooks. I made my way through the entire Harry Potter series during the last half of May and most of June. I also started rereading SUNRUNNER’S FIRE, the third book in the Dragon Prince trilogy, this past week.
I know this will make a lot of people sad… For now, I’ve decided not to keep reading THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. I still have around 35.5 hours left of the audiobook and it seems like a lot of time to invest in a story I’m not loving as much as I’d like to. I may, however, pick it up again in the future.
Listening
I’ve been introducing my BFF to the Mission: Impossible movie franchise over the last couple of weeks so I’ve been listening to a lot of versions of theme. This one’s my favorite, from the fourth movie MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL.
Watching
As I said above, I’ve been watching the Mission: Impossible movies with my BFF. I’ve also been watching the Harry Potter movies with Corey since I just reread the series.
Corey and I finished watching DARK MATTER on AppleTV+ this week. It’s based on the book by Blake Crouch. I really enjoyed the book so I was looking forward to watching the show. I wasn’t disappointed. It was phenomenal. I’m curious if they’re going to do a second season even though season 1 covered the whole book? Here’s the trailer.
Loving
I love getting the opportunity to meet authors and have my books signed. On Tuesday, my friend and I went to an author event for the duo Christina Lauren. It was a lot of fun. Here’s my Instagram post if you’re interested:
I want to watch the new MY LADY JANE show on Amazon even though I hate the Prime streaming app. It’s so cumbersome and hard to find what you want or can watch. Anyway, I adored the book the show is based on so I might have to endure my frustration. LOL. Here’s the trailer if you’re curious.
Needing Wanting, Part 2
My IRL book club voted on our next 12 months’ worth of books in April. Every year for the past eight years, I’ve made a bookmark showcasing the books we vote in. I wanted to share it with y’all.
There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis
People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys. Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected.
My Thoughts
My IRL book club chose to read BEARTOWN for our March book and it’s my second Fredrik Backman book. I’m glad we chose to read it because it’s a thought-provoking story that deals with hard subjects like toxic masculinity, winning at all costs, and consent.
BEARTOWN was a very hard emotional read. The story’s sad but hopeful, and extremely maddening. At times, it was difficult to keep reading. Even though my heart hurts, it was worth the pain and sorrow. I absolutely had no idea that a book about hockey (but not really) would make me feel the way I did.
Humanity has many shortcomings, but none is stronger than pride.
If you’ve ever read one of Backman’s books, then you know his stories are as good as they are because of his characters. Not only is he a master at writing emotionally charged stories, he’s also a master at writing a whole cast of round, complicated characters. The characters in BEARTOWN are no exception. These characters were so easy to connect with because they felt like real people with real lives.
BEARTOWN is the first book in a trilogy. I totally get why Backman wrote another two novels about these characters. The story’s so complex that this first installment could only focus on so much. Backman did a great job of picking and choosing what’s most important so much so that I don’t need to rush and read US AGAINST YOU and THE WINNERS.
Ever since I finished reading BEARTOWN, I’ve been trying to decide if I want to give it 4 or 5 stars. I’m honestly still torn about it. For now, I’ve given it 4.5 stars, but I may change it to 5.
Have you read BEARTOWN? If so, what did you think about it?
Trigger Warning
There is a trigger warning for suicide, suicidal ideation, rape, loss of a parent, loss of a child, bullying, and abuse.
Title: Dating Dr. Dil Author: Nisha Sharma Series: If Shakespeare were an Aunty #1 Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance Pages: 364 Source: Own For: Book of the Month Rating: Sexual Content:
There's content in this book that may be triggering to some readers. I've tried to include the possible triggers in this book at end of my review.
Goodreads Synopsis
Kareena Mann dreams of having a love story like her parents, but she prefers restoring her classic car to swiping right on dating apps. When her father announces he’s selling her mother’s home, Kareena makes a deal with him: he’ll gift her the house if she can get engaged in four months. Her search for her soulmate becomes impossible when her argument with Dr. Prem Verma, host of The Dr. Dil Show, goes viral. Now the only man in her life is the one she doesn’t want.
My Thoughts
DATING DR. DIL was the February pick for my Trim My TBR Challenge. I was really excited to read it because it’s a retelling of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare and Nisha Sharma did an excellent job with the execution, creating a hot steamy romance that leaves you wanting for more.
I read DATING DR. DIL in two days, which is unheard of for me as I’m not a very fast reader. I got caught up in Kareena’s and Prem’s lives and wanted to know how their story would end. I also really loved the double POV and being in both of their heads. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites and DATING DR. DIL did not disappoint. Kareena and Prem had so much chemistry together, including awesome bantering and amazing sexual tension.
The biggest mistake you can make is trying to interpret someone’s actions in a way that fits your definition for love.
I really enjoyed being a part of Kareena’s and Prem’s culture as I read DATING DR. DIL. I honestly didn’t know much about the American desi culture. I loved all the descriptions of the clothing, parties, and food. Oh the food! I’m now craving Indian from my favorite local restaurant. The strong familial influence, sometimes to the detriment of the characters mental health, and the pressure for Indian women to be married and having kids before 30 really resonated with me.
I’m only rating DATING DR. DIL four stars because I just can’t get past a few descriptions of Prem’s mandhood. View Spoiler »I mean calling his penis Charlie is one thing, but acting like “Charlie” is a sentient being was just too much for me. I almost rolled my eyes right out of my head each time Prem thought that way. « Hide Spoiler Other than that, I really enjoyed DATING DR. DIL and I’m glad I finally read it. I look forward to reading the two companion novels.
Have you read DATING DR. DIL? If so, what did you think?
https://i0.wp.com/jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/review-datingdrdil.png?fit=919%2C918&ssl=1918919Jenni Elysehttps://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/logo_2024_black-1030x312.pngJenni Elyse2024-03-07 00:00:002024-08-18 20:28:12Review: Dating Dr. Dil
What if one little wish changed everything? When Gemma gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend, she reacts the way any reasonable twenty-eight-year-old would: by getting drunk with her sister, kooky aunt, and best friend, Dax. They decide to perform a love-cleansing spell, which promises to erase Gemma’s ex from her memory. They follow all the instructions, including a platonic kiss from Dax to seal the deal. When Gemma wakes up, she realizes that this silly spell has worked, except that Dax has no idea who she is either.
My Thoughts
For my 2024 challenges, I decided to focus on reading my Book of the Month books because I’m sorely behind. To help me with this focus, I used BOTM books that have been on my TBR for over a year to create my Trim Your TBR Challenge list. The number for THIS SPELLS LOVE was picked for January and I’m so glad because I absolutely adored it.
I zipped right through THIS SPELLS LOVE because I couldn’t put it down. When I wasn’t reading it, I wanted to be reading it. It hooked me right from the beginning and has left me thinking of the characters and their relationships long after I finished reading.
I adored everything about THIS SPELLS LOVE. I loved Gemma Wilde, her sister, kooky aunt, and her best friend Daxon McGuire. I loved the setting of Hamilton, Canada, just outside Toronto. The description of the people, shops, pubs, curling lanes, and the waterfront of Lake Ontario had me ready to book a plane ticket so I could experience it first hand.
Friends-to-lovers is hands down my favorite romantic trope and THIS SPELLS LOVE didn’t disappoint. Kate Robb’s execution was excellently written, producing a steamy fast-paced romance. The sexual tension between Gemma and Dax is amazing and leaves you wanting for more.
I also loved the lit bit of paranormal, in the form of a love-cleansing spell in THIS SPELLS LOVE. It was fun to see it flip Gemma’s world on its head, causing her to figure out what was truly important to her.
When I finished THIS SPELLS LOVE, I waffled over rating it 4- or 5-stars. It didn’t take me long to realize that there was nothing about it that I didn’t love. Robb’s debut has a lot to live up to, but I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books written by her.
Have you read THIS SPELLS LOVE? If so, what did you think?
https://i0.wp.com/jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/review-thisspellslove.png?fit=919%2C918&ssl=1918919Jenni Elysehttps://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/logo_2024_black-1030x312.pngJenni Elyse2024-03-06 00:00:002024-08-17 17:51:53Review: This Spells Love
Title: Beartown
Title: Dating Dr. Dil
Title: This Spells Love