Top 10 Books on My Spring TBR

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(Sorry this is a day late for Top 10 Tuesday, but there’s no rule that I still can’t post this on Wednesday, right? ;))

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books on my Spring TBR. I always like having these seasonal TBR lists as a guide, even if I don’t always stick with them! Here’s what I plan to read over the next couple of months, in no particular order.

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

I started this one today. Don’t you love this cover?!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (reread)

I’ll be enjoying the illustrated edition thanks to my husband! 🙂

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (reread)

Glamour and Glass (The Glamourist Histories #2) by Mary Robinette Kowal

I’m excited to continue The Glamourist Histories after loving Shades of Milk and Honey!

The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron

One of my recent e-book acquisitions I need to read before it becomes forgotten.

Befriend by Scott Sauls

After hearing Scott Sauls on Annie F. Down’s That Sounds Fun podcast I decided to get his latest book.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand (reread)

I got this one the same time as I got Befriend and I really want to reread it. It helped me while I was revising my WIP as I explored a subject I don’t have much experience with.

Anne’s House of Dreams (Anne of Green Gables #5) by L.M. Montgomery

I have to admit that I didn’t love Anne of Windy Poplars, and I think that has cause me to push off House of Dreams longer than I’ve intended. Anne of the Island was just SO perfect. But Anne and Gilbert FINALLY get married in this, so it has to better than Windy Poplars.

These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

Another recent e-book acquisition that I have been curious about for a while!

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

I’ve heard good things about this one, and an adult historical romance feels like a good genre to break through my usual YA fare (though my list is TBR list is actually more varied this time around!).

What are you reading this spring? Have you read any of these?

Monthly Recap: February 2017

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Books I Read

Take the Key and Lock Her Up (Embassy Row #3) by Ally Carter

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

I only got three reads in this month, but I had more lunches out of office or shortened lunches (which is when I do most of my reading) this month than usual, plus Carve the Mark took me some time to read.

Book Acquisition

My sweet husband got me the perfect Valentine’s Day gift: an illustrated copy of Chamber of Secrets! I actually don’t have the illustrated Sorcerer’s Stone yet, but he knew I was rereading the books this year and have only reread the first so far, so he wanted to get me this second book before I started rereading it.

TV Shows

Timeless had their season finale and I HOPE it’s not a series finale! While they mostly wrapped up the series arc, they opened up two new cans of worms! I really want to see what’s ahead! Agents of SHIELD also had a big episode before they go on hiatus for about a month or so, and WHOA. Any time I start to lose interest in the show they always hook me again, and I am definitely really interested in seeing what happens next!

#Bookstagram Images of the Month

The weather has been mostly mild here this month (YAY) but the grass is also dead, so I’ve been taking lots of Bookstagram pics in the pine needles in our backyard. You do what you can.

Looking Forward to March

A YA book festival, college basketball championships (*fingers crossed for Middle Tennessee*), and getting a new washer and dryer… yep. #adulting

Potential March TBR:

Star Wars: Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno

Glamour in Glass (Glamourist Histories #2) by Mary Robinette Kowal

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (reread)

What was noteworthy for you in February? 

Podcasts I Enjoy About Books & Writing

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Sometimes when I’m working, driving for a decent length of time, or engaged in some other activity where I would like a break from music, podcasts are perfect for 20 min – 2 hrs. of time that need to be filled with chatter. I listen to a variety of podcasts ranging from Star Trek discussion to a Christian radio show and several more, but today I thought I would focus specifically on four podcasts I enjoy that focus on books and writing.

Books

Owl Post is a fairly new podcast that is a must-listen for any fan of the Harry Potter books. Each episode is an interesting discussion of a chapter of the books, and they’re still early in the first book, so it won’t take you long to catch up! I tend to pick and choose my way through episodes of most of the podcasts I listen to, but I’m subscribed to this one and actually listen to each episode quickly after it airs (rather than my usual tactic of keeping a backlog open for myself).

I love the premise of Overdue: a podcast about the books you’ve been meaning to read. I only download the episodes where I have read the book or know the story already, but I’ve enjoyed every episode I’ve listened to. The hosts provide both humor and insight into the books they discuss.

Writing

You know you’re listening to a world-class writing podcasts when one of the hosts is Brandon freaking Sanderson. I’ve been listening to Writing Excuses for a few of their seasons now and they do such a great job of providing fresh and insightful writing advice every week.

Punch It is a very different podcast from Writing Excuses, but it’s fun. The hosts of this podcast were long-time hosts of a Star Trek Voyager podcast called To The Journey, and they seriously gave me a new appreciation for the show through their discussion. So when they decided to embark on this new endeavor, I knew I had to check it out. The show is still pretty new, but they discuss the writing of TV shows and movies, either how they themselves would write it or how effective the writing was. Star Trek is still a regular focus of the show as well, which I appreciate.

Do you have any favorite podcasts about writing or books?

My Top 10 Favorite Slow-burn Romances

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Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is All About Romance Tropes/Types. I love a good slow-burn romance, so it seemed like the most natural topic! I decided to limit this topic to just books, because if I included movies and TV this list would get out of hand! This week’s list is in no particular order.

What are your favorite literary slow-burn romances?

P.S. Three years ago today I started my blog, formally known as Ode to Jo and Katniss. Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me over the years and made the move over here! 

Monthly Recap: January 2017

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I decided today that I want to start doing a monthly recap of what I read that month, my other favorites of the month in media, and whatever else pops into my mind as noteworthy.

Books I Read

All In (The Naturals #3) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Bad Blood (The Naturals #4) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Let’s All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs (reread)

Shades of Milk and Honey (The Glamourist Histories #1) by Mary Robinette Kowal

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling (reread)

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

January was a fabulous month for reading for me as these were all truly enjoyable 4+ star rated books for me. If I had to choose a (new-to-me) favorite though, it would be Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal, which I discussed here. I’m really looking forward to reading more of the series now!

Books I Acquired

Glamour in Glass (Glamourist Histories #2) by Mary Robinette Kowal

Without a Summer ((Glamourist Histories #3) by Mary Robinette Kowal

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Movie of the Month

I watched We Bought a Zoo (2011) for the first time and I thought it was cute! I wish we could have gotten more of Elle Fanning’s character because I really loved her (and her budding romance with the son!), and I also loved Rosie, the little girl portraying Matt Damon’s daughter.

Music of the Month

Before Christmas I saw a recommendation for a band called The Gray Havens, and for some reason, I decided to actually check them out, and I quickly became interested in their music. I listened to a little bit on their website and Spotify, then I got swept into Christmas music season, but after the new year I finally bought the latest of their three albums and I’m really enjoying it. I also got the new Colony House CD, Only the Lonely, and haven’t listened to it a lot yet, but have enjoyed it so far.

Fun of the Month

I got to take a little trip to the beach, which I’ve never done in the winter before, but it was sunny and 70 degrees, so it was perfect!

#Bookstagram Images of the Month

What was noteworthy for you in January?

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