It's April and I'm just trying to figure out my shit
plus some mini book reviews and a free download
Table of Contents (so you can skip my life update and get right to the books)
Zine Stuff (free download)
Life Update
Do you guys want a life update? I honestly don’t know, but you’re getting it.
I’m still shaking off seasonal depression, regular depression, a months-long reading slump, the complete and utter stress of moving to a new country, and the existential dread and soul-deep ache that comes with finally getting the thing you’ve been working towards for 4 years and then questioning if you made the right choice.
I’ve been settling into my new apartment and life in Portugal, and while a lot has changed weirdly, a lot has also stayed the same. I’m still working my regular job and trying to balance a life that includes all the things I love. However, I’m also living alone for the first time in years and navigating rebuilding healthy routines.
Okay, that's enough life update; let’s talk about books and stuff.
March 2025 Recap (so far)
In the past three months, I’ve read six books. That's not a lot, but I’m going to give myself some slack here; see above.
A Werewolf's Guide To Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley
This is the third installment of the Glimmer Falls series, and I just love them all! However, I think this is the most unique book in the series so far. The level of absurdity in the premise, mixed with the emotional storyline, made for an entertaining and heartfelt read. I especially enjoyed the way the characters navigated their inherent power imbalance and explored the intricacies of consent.
Seas and Greetings by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
If you already know and love this universe, you’ll enjoy this quick little read. I am beginning to struggle to keep the growing cast of side characters straight in my mind (maybe Sierra and Julie can share whatever spreadsheet they’re using with me), but the plots are always so fun that I hardly mind that I don’t know who everybody is.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Oof. Was it my reading slump or the general lack of editing that made this one such a hard read? If you asked me what happened in this book, I couldn’t tell you. Did I ultimately enjoy reading the last third? Yes, I think so. But maybe I was just glad to be over it. Will I keep reading the series? Yes, I need closure, obviously, but I do feel like Rebecca is falling into the trap that fantasy novels have to be long to be good.
I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming
I know I jotted down a quick thought in my notes app about this one, so let me grab that…. “Sure, there’s abduction and kidnapping, life-threatening scenarios, and questionable consent in the form of a poison dart administered mating serum, but Kimberly keeps it light, lacing IGABAANITIARC(😅) with so much humor and absurdity and giving the heroine a kind of logical / when in Rome attitude that allows her to embrace the situation while also not putting up with shit that you easily forget that anyone else would have major PTSD or have been eaten by a T-Rex on day one.”
So, bottom line, this is an absolute must read.
A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames
This is a unique and unusual romantasy that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre. It features a reluctant sorcerer, a talking cat, a sentient house, a butcher’s daughter, and a grotesque magic system. It was a bit of a slow start, but it was worth it in the end. I would read more stories set in this universe.
Last Chance to Save the World by Beth Revis
I really enjoyed this final installment of the Chaotic Orbits trilogy. You can read more of my thoughts on it here: What to Read When You Hate Elon Musk
Currently Reading:
What If It's You? by Jilly Gagnon
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Countless Substack articles
D&D PHB 2024 (more on this later?)
Zine Stuff
This one has been on my mind for a while now and I finally mustered the creativity and inspiration needed to make it real.
I don’t know about you but the struggle to pick my next read as a mood reader in a reading slump has been real lately. So enter the TBR Fortune Teller! This little fortune teller will help you pick your next read with a heavy dose of middle school nostaglia. I’ve made two versions, one with prompts to help you pick from your current TBR and one with blanks that you could fill in with your own prompts or actual titles on your list.
I won’t be selling the zine.** Both versions are free for download below with a few notes:
1. Please do not distribute or mass-produce the zine in physical form.
2. The file is in A4 format but can easily be printed in any size.
3. Here’s a link to folding instructions.
Thanks for reading to the end! Can you help me get out of my reading slump by commenting what you’re reading these days? Or maybe just loop me into any book community tea I might have missed so far this year. Thanks!!!
Find me here: Instagram / Storygraph
I just finished Love is Trash in Hallow's Cave! It's a raccoon shifter romance novella and so fun! As for book tea, I think the Spohie Lark bit was the last that I remember...?
Omg the fortune teller is so cute 😍
Moving to a new country is a HUGE change. You’re so brave and strong for doing that! I hope spring brings some lighter vibes and stability to you!