Grass with water droplets
What I Read: May 2024

What I Read: May 2024

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I know it’s not technically summer, but it might as well be. It’s hot. It’s humid. And I find myself craving beach reads and summer camp thrillers.

While I got started on that trend later in the month, this month’s reads actually started rather heavy with fascinating (but disturbing and horrifying!) books on climate change and nuclear war.

This month’s reads included:
-You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen
-Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen
-The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell
-Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline
-The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
-Never Lie by Freida McFadden

Now for the reviews!

KOS Plant Protein Powder and protein shake in blender cup
REVIEW: KOS Organic Superfood Plant Protein Powder

REVIEW: KOS Organic Superfood Plant Protein Powder

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I have finally found a plant-based protein powder that I like! (Two brands, actually, but that’s another post.)

I’ve talked about my goal of trying to increase my protein intake before, but I’ve had a hard time trying to balance taste, protein content, and cost when it comes to a vegan protein powder. I want it all, but my wallet says no. However, the KOS Organic Superfood Plant Protein Powder comes pretty close!

What I Read: April 2024

What I Read: April 2024

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This was an odd month of reading for me!

My picks were a bit all over the place: Thriller, fantasy, historical fantasy, magical realism, literary fiction and non-fiction:
– Red Island House by Andrea Lee
– The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
– The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
– Nightmare Fuel by Nina Nesseth
– The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
– Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier
– To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

I enjoy shaking things up from time to time, but I am definitely getting the urge to return to ‘romantasy’ (romantic fantasy) or picking up a beach read from Elin Hilderbrand now that temperatures are really heating up.

But first, let’s get into the reviews!

What I’m Into: April 2024

What I’m Into: April 2024

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I’m taking a big exhale right now.

I wrapped up a busy (and stressful) few months and have a few days before another busy month, so I’m trying to enjoy taking it easy and not feeling the need to be so productive. With this brief moment to reflect and think about what’s to come, I wanted to share some of my latest obsessions. I hope you enjoy them too!

What I Read: March 2024

What I Read: March 2024

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I’m not sure when it happened, but with my reading I’ve seemed to have made the switch from “romantasy” (romance fantasy) back to thrillers again. I’ve always loved a good mystery and appreciate a well-thought out twist, so it’s not the most surprising trend!

March’s reads included four thriller/psychological suspense novels (some of which were SUPER disturbing) and two non-fiction picks:

-The Maid’s Diary by Loreth Anne White
-Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian
-The Brain’s Way of Healing by Norman Doidge, MD
-Dear Child by Romy Hausmann
-Raise Your Game by Alan Stein, Jr.
-The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

Let’s get into the reviews!

OWYN Non-Dairy Protein Shake
REVIEW: OWYN Non-Dairy Protein Shake

REVIEW: OWYN Non-Dairy Protein Shake

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As I’ve talked about before, I’m always on the hunt for a simple, tasty way to boost my protein intake.

While I tried (and enjoyed!) the Blogilates Sculpt & Debloat Protein Bars with Probiotics, I don’t really go to Target enough to be able to buy them consistently.

So, when I spotted the OWYN protein shakes BOGO at my grocery store, I decided to take a chance on them!

What I Read: February 2024

What I Read: February 2024

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I can’t believe how quickly February came and went. It’s like I blinked and now we are multiple days into March! I’m definitely in one of those phases were the days seem long, but the weeks go quickly.

Despite a lot going on, I was able to fit in quite a bit of reading, finishing up 8 books in February:
– Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
– Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
– Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
– The Wicked King by Holly Black
– The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
– A Friend in the Dark by Samantha Bailey
– The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
– One Person, Multiple Careers by Marci
Alboher

As you can see the choices are a bit all over the place. Let’s get into the reviews!

Timeless Vitamin C Serum bottle
BEAUTY REVIEW: Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

BEAUTY REVIEW: Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

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I’m so excited to be writing this beauty review! I’ve been on a book review spree lately, so it’s nice to change gears and focus on something completely different.

For the past couple of months, I’ve incorporated a vitamin C serum into my daily skincare routine. I’ve never previously used any vitamin C serum products, so I went with the Timeless brand based on a recommendation from my mom (hi Mom!).

Let’s get into it!

What I Read: January 2024

What I Read: January 2024

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Are we a full month into 2024? Yes.

Did I still type 2023 when writing this post? Also, yes.

I hope everyone’s 2024 is off to a good start. Mine’s certainly off to a busy start. Between changes at work, changes outside of work, my car needing an oil change, my yearly doctor’s appointment, etc., I’m in a survival state. You know those periods in your life where you’re just hanging on and hoping it’ll pass? That’s where I’m at.

But that didn’t stop me from escaping into books with this month’s read included an interesting mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and non-fiction:
– The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
– Running with Purpose by Jim Weber
– Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling
– The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
– Kill Show: A True Crime Novel by Daniel Sweren-Becker
– All Systems Red by Martha Wells
– Artificial Conditions by Martha Wells
– Fate Calls the Elf Queen by J.M. Kearl

YEAR IN REVIEW: A Breakdown of My 2023 Reads

YEAR IN REVIEW: A Breakdown of My 2023 Reads

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I’ve been looking forward to writing this post!

It’s like a “Spotify Wrapped”, but for the books I read. I’m a bit of a nerd and love diving into all of the numbers. How many books did I read? What genres did I choose? What were my favorites?

According to my book journal, I read 79 books in 2023!! That’s an all-time record for me.

Let’s take a look at the breakdown and my top 10 picks from the year!