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The Perpetual Page-Turner

The Perpetual Page-Turner

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Home | Lifestyle | 12 Affordable Dresses For Spring Under $50

12 Affordable Dresses For Spring Under $50

February 22, 2018 - Updated May 7, 2019 // 46 Comments

12 Affordable Dresses For Spring

 

The past 2 days it has been gloriously nice out here in Philly. I mean, we’re talking 60’s and 70’s in February. It’s kind of a tease but I will take it! Rachel and I were tweeting each other about how this beautiful weather is making us just want to be ALL THE SPRING DRESSES (and at the current moment I had 20 dresses for spring saved in my carts across several retail sites). As much as I love my sweaters and cozy clothes, I’m ready to shed them for some cute spring dresses. Ya know, once I shave my legs properly to be able to put those puppies out there for everyone to see. I’m so ready to bust out all my favorite spring dresses and add some new dresses to my closet in preparation for Spring.

I thought it would be fun to share some of the affordable Spring dresses that I’m currently eyeing and think are SUPER cute. I tend to go for florals, chambrays, lace and pastels when I’m perusing for new Spring dresses. One of my classic Spring looks, because the weather is so up and down, is to pair these kinds of dresses with either my denim jacket or my leather jacket (I love so much a dainty floral with leather) so that’s also what I look for too…something that will pair nicely with that.

[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.

Native Youth Printed Dress ($32): I tend to fall into buying the same kinds of patterns (stripes, polka dots and florals) so as soon as I saw this one I was like OOOH I don’t have anything that looks like this right now in my closet! I see so many options for styling this dress!

Shift Dress With Bird Print ($32): I love love love this cute bird print! I am REALLY trying to branch out from my normal patterns but I’m totally into this dress for Spring!

Drop Waist Sweater Dress ($22.99): I’m super iffy about drop waist dresses on my body (sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t depending how they fall) but I am in love with this one! Sweater dresses are great dresses for Spring, in my opinion. (I’m also super into this one from Charlotte Russe too)

Floral Print Dress ($20): At first when I saw this dress I immediately thought it looked more like something that I’d be drawn to in the Fall but I don’t know I’m super into this one for Spring. I want to pair it with my denim jacket and my black booties. Loving the ruffle hem and high neck — an adorable AND affordable dress for Spring!

Off the Shoulder Yellow Floral Mini Dress ($18.50 ): I am LIVING for off the shoulders right now but then put it in my favorite color (yellow) with a floral pattern? I NEED.

Ruffle Dot & Floral Shirt Dress ($22): I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS DRESS! Everything about this — the polka dots, the floral, the ruffles, the gorgeous back detail. This one is 1000% going in my closet. I own nothing like it.

Relaxed Smock Dress ($24 ): This dress looks so comfy! It’s beautiful and flow-y and I love it.

Colorblock Sweatshirt Dress ($45): I’ve owned some color block dresses before but I’m really digging this one! Plus I’ve been loving the sweatshirt dress thing in theory and this one is the cutest one I’ve seen and seems like it has a little more shape to it.

Printed Wrap Dress (29.93): I am obsessed with wrap dresses. I just always find them flattering for my body and this one is so gorgeous.

Lauren Conrad lace shift dress ($25.60): I am in LOVE with Lauren Conrad’s stuff for Kohl’s and this dress is a perfect addition to your Spring wardrobe. I want to see if they have it in my local Kohl’s to see if I should size up due to a couple reviews I’ve seen.

Floral French Terry Dress ($34.99): This dress has a couple different colors and patterns and I’m having a really hard time choosing which one I like the best! It’s between this one and the blue dresses for Spring!

Button Down Striped Dress ($39.99): Loving the cold shoulders on this and the light blue stripes!

Tiered Ruffle Midi Dress ($36): I realized when cleaning out my closets that I have ONE midi dress…ONE. And this gorgeous thing pops up while I’m perusing Target…it’s meant to be, yeah? I think a midi is perfect dress for Spring!

 

Which ones are your favorite out of all these dresses for Spring? What’s your go-to look for Spring? Any Spring trends you are into for this year? Any dresses for Spring you purchased already? HELP ME NARROW DOWN WHICH ONES I NEED!

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Filed Under: Fashion, Lifestyle Tagged With: fashion, lifestyle, spring, spring style, style

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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Comments

  1. Erica Robyn says

    February 22, 2018 at 6:55 am

    Oooh!! Awesome picks!! I may be looking into a couple of these as soon as I leave this comment 😀

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 22, 2018 at 7:43 pm

      I’m trying SO HARD to narrow them down and having such a hard time *SOBS* Why can’t I just have them all??

      Reply
  2. kayla says

    February 22, 2018 at 1:10 pm

    Loving this post! I’m obsessed with shift dresses at the moment and am always on the hunt for affordable styles! xx

    Kayla – Glossedangeles.com

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 22, 2018 at 7:43 pm

      YES shift dresses are so great! I feel like I’ve ordered a couple lately because I’m enjoying them!

      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    February 22, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    Great picks! I need to look into a few of these.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 22, 2018 at 7:44 pm

      Hope you find one! Trying SOOO hard over here to narrow it down.

      Reply
  4. Kelly Pemberton says

    February 22, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    Jamie, these are so cute! Thanks for posting – this will make it easy for me to shop (and I hate shopping for clothes for myself…). I love it that there are even dresses that appropriate for women like me: a (nearly) middle-aged professional woman who need easy, no-fuss outfits for work!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 22, 2018 at 7:46 pm

      Right?? I’m having such a hard time narrowing it down because clearly I can’t buy all of them! And lol it’s funny because I’ve been cleaning out my closets majorly lately and I’ve found so many styles I had as a 20-something that now as a 32 year old I’m like…yeah I don’t think I can pull this off anymore lol. And yeah quite a few of these could be really awesome professional looking outfits for the office..I was thinking of pairing a couple of these with blazers I have!

      Reply
  5. Rachel says

    February 22, 2018 at 2:14 pm

    I love the top left dress, totally caught my eye and looks like something I’d have as wall art! No problem with matching the wall though, right? This is a great little selection! x

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 22, 2018 at 7:47 pm

      YES I thought the same thing!! It really does look like art!

      Reply
  6. Margaret Smith says

    February 22, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    What lovely dresses! I can’t wait for the weather to warm up.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 22, 2018 at 7:48 pm

      SAME! We’ve had a few days of gorgeous weather and it’s a tease!!

      Reply
  7. Lea says

    February 22, 2018 at 6:34 pm

    I want to be the type to wear dresses all the time. I love them. But I never wear them. Same with skirts.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 22, 2018 at 7:51 pm

      haha I am so the opposite! My friends are always like “why are you so dressed up??”….just because I love dresses so much and wear them all the time (well, when it’s nice out…although sometimes i will just leggings under depending on the dress).

      Reply
  8. Jenny says

    February 22, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    All of these dresses are too cute! Love them all.

    Reply
  9. Anna @ The Bibliotaph says

    February 22, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    YES this is just what I needed – I’ve been looking at new dresses. Thanks for doing half the work for me:)

    Reply
  10. Leah @ The Pretty Good Gatsby says

    February 23, 2018 at 7:25 am

    UGHHHH YESSS. If we ever happen to meet in person we’re going dress shopping, okay? okay.

    I have been living in dresses lately (I’m wearing one today too!) and it’s basically the best life. Looking cute AND not having to wear pants? Total win in my book.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 23, 2018 at 8:12 pm

      UM YES PLEASE!!! We can do some book and dress shopping. This is like my dream day.

      I can’t wait til it’s warm out and I will literally NOT touch a pair of pants.

      Reply
  11. Jenni LeBaron says

    February 23, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Sign me up for the shift dress with the bird print – so cute! Great roundup of dresses.

    Reply
  12. Samantha says

    February 23, 2018 at 3:19 pm

    I love so many of these! I have a trip coming up so I may have to pick a few of these up!!!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 23, 2018 at 8:16 pm

      ooh I love buying new stuff for a trip! Where are you heading?

      Reply
  13. Toni says

    February 23, 2018 at 4:09 pm

    These are super cute! I especially like the drop waist pink sweater dress!!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 23, 2018 at 8:13 pm

      RIght? I feel like it was one of those dresses that I was like HM I haven’t see much that looks like that. It’s SO CUTE.

      Reply
  14. Nena says

    February 23, 2018 at 8:20 pm

    Love the first dress, but I’m so tall- wish it were a little longer! Think for spring I’m going to do a lot of ankle pants. I need to buy new clothes for my postpartum body! I need to let go of my old clothes 😔

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 23, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      Ah yes I’m sure you have issue a lot! I’m not even as tall as you and sometimes I can’t handle how short dresses are. A couple of dresses I’ve bought recently I got in size tall which is hilarious but I love the fit so much better length-wise. Especiallly having a baby now…omg I don’t have time to worry about my booty showing. And GIRL I feel you..just had a little reckoning with my closet recently and it’s so hard for me to deal with my postpartum body. My last OB appt I was down to my pre-baby weight and my sister was like “that’s amazing!” and I’m like….but my body is SO different. It’s not the same and things don’t fit the same at all. I keep trying to tell myself 1) my body is amazing for what it did and when that doesn’t make me feel better bc I still look pregnant in a cute outfit from before 2) I just look at it as an opportunity to buy new clothes lol

      I have to say…I’m obsessed with Langston. He is the most darling baby in the world and it makes me endlessly happy every time you or Eric post. Hope you guys are doing well <333

      Reply
  15. Jessica says

    February 23, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    Love the bird print shift dress! It looks like floral from a distance, which is so cute. The Native Youth dress reminds me of when I used to paint since the design looks like brush strokes. Too bad I wear pants most of the time so I guess I’ll be buying more Uniqlo elastic work pants (basically fancy sweatpants, haha). The biggest struggle I have with dresses are the length because of my height and I wish some of these were longer.

    Reply
  16. HauteBeautyGuide says

    February 23, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    Those dresses are all super cute and at a surprisingly affordable price! Xx-Doran @HauteBeautyGuide

    Reply
  17. roamy says

    February 24, 2018 at 6:41 am

    This post has given me just what I`m looking for, spring is almost here and I`m looking for affordable but lovely outfits.Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  18. Brandi Michel says

    February 24, 2018 at 8:51 am

    Love the tiered ruffle dress! May be too short for me though. I don’t wear dresses much because it’s such a struggle to get my legs tan and stay tan. Lol But I’m stepping out this year wearing more dresses regardless. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Nallely Tapia says

    February 24, 2018 at 1:15 pm

    they all are so cute! my favorite one is the drop waist sweater dress, that kind of dresses don’t always look good on me but I do like them a lot and this one has a really nice pink color.

    Reply
  20. Rae says

    February 24, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    What totally cute dresses. I may need to invest in some.

    Reply
  21. Annie Cho says

    February 28, 2018 at 11:22 am

    I love the yellow floral dress the most! So perfect for spring!
    xoxo
    Annie

    Reply
  22. Melanie says

    February 28, 2018 at 11:40 am

    Cute! I love dresses in the spring- perfect weather for us here in Texas.

    Reply
  23. Sarah says

    February 28, 2018 at 11:47 am

    No narrowing down, you need them ALL! 😀

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      February 28, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      hahahh I like the way you think. PLEASE TELL MY HUSBAND THIS.

      Reply
  24. Kristen says

    February 28, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    these are all so cute!! And, I love that they are under $40! Looks like I’m going shopping tonight!

    Reply
  25. Eryn says

    February 28, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    Oh my god. These dresses are amazing!!!

    Reply
  26. Allison - Celebrating Sweets says

    February 28, 2018 at 7:33 pm

    I love them all! These make me excited for warm weather!

    Reply
  27. Kerri says

    February 28, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    LOVE the bottom left. SO pretty!

    Reply
  28. Leah says

    February 28, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE these choices!! I can’t wait to wear some spring dresses!

    Reply
  29. Amber @ xoxo, Am says

    March 1, 2018 at 3:29 am

    Those dresses are so cute! I always seem to gravitate towards floral lol

    Reply
  30. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    March 1, 2018 at 10:30 am

    These are all adorable! I love the floral (cute w/out looking like grandma’s dresses), but I really love the pink & grey sweatshirt dress!

    Reply
  31. Tiffany of Rattles and Pearls says

    March 2, 2018 at 9:55 am

    These dresses are all great! It is hard to pick a favorite.

    Reply
  32. J. Shan'Trice - Fashionaire She says

    March 2, 2018 at 11:55 am

    The tiered ruffle dress is so pretty. I can’t wait until the rain lets up and the weather allows for more dress wearing. These are some great suggestions and I’ll be wearing these types of dresses this season.

    Reply
  33. Karen says

    March 2, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    These dresses are super cute. love the fact that they are affordable too!

    Reply
  34. Stephanie | Adventures in Aussieland says

    March 2, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    I LOVE the wrap dress! I’ve found wrap dresses are super flattering on everyone and my favourite go-to spring or summer dress.

    Reply

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Elder millennial. Cries a lot, always down a rabbit hole.
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A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🥹🥹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like “oof” when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just “oh that must be scary!”. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being m The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said “it’s a book account stop talking about politics etc”. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader
I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first try when trying to satisfy a super specific reading mood - Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time definitely nailed what I wanted. Time travel but didn’t really want too time travely…just more of a vibe or catalyst for some fun. If you love a good mystery, some time travel shenanigans and a great cast of characters, I highly recommend this book. #bookrec #bookrecommendation #bookreview #mysterybooks #historicalmystery #kelleyarmstrong
🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸 🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸

Beyond excited for a new Kate Clayborn, Kasie west, rainbow Rowell, Jenn Bennett and Beth O’Leary - I’ve enjoyed these authors in the past.

My historical loving heart is most excited for The Duke and How To Fake It In Society.

I love an emotional romance so The Art of Loving You is high on my list plus I’ve heard great things about this author.

I’m intrigued by Fast Lane especially since it’s being adapted for a tv series. I’m seeing comparisons to Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series which I did love!

Which new romance books are piquing your interest or are on your TBR? #romancebooks #newbooks #romancebooktok #romancereader
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Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🥹🥹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like “oof” when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just “oh that must be scary!”. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being m The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said “it’s a book account stop talking about politics etc”. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader

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