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The Perpetual Page-Turner

The Perpetual Page-Turner

Book Recommendations and Book Lists For Adults And Kids

Home | Lifestyle | We Were On The Nice List

We Were On The Nice List

January 2, 2018 - Updated May 7, 2019 // 13 Comments

 

What a successful first holiday season for Riley — lots of time spent with all our family and our gifts for others were a big hit (because let’s be real…they were all Riley related). Even made my MIL cry with our gift for her! Plus Riley was such a champ with all the late nights and messed up naps and socializing that was done!

Riley and I were totally on the nice list for Christmas (Will too but his gifts are mostly gift cards haha) and I thought it might be fun to share some of the things we got as gifts for Christmas. We are so fortunate to have family who spoils the heck out of us!

What I Received

coziest grey leggings

High Waisted Cozy Foldover Leggings

These are literally my new favorite cozy clothing item I own. I have never owned leggings/sweatpants that are so comfy! AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY HALF OFF RIGHT NOW!

 

Chenille Leggings In Black

Black chenille leggings from Target

These are pretty darn cozy too! I had originally wanted these ones which were the softest things I ever felt but I didn’t jump on them and they sold out. So I found these ones instead. My only complaint about these is they are slightlyyyy too short. Not like obviously too short but I would have loved them to be a wee bit longer.

 

 

cozy Target Hoodie

Sherpa Hoodie From Target in Dusty Rose

I rarely wear pink but I saw this in the store and fell in love with it. I’ve been pairing it a lot with those grey leggings above. Super comfy and cute.

 

Stretchy Distressed Jeans

Mid-rise Distressed Stretch & Performance Jean Leggings

I wanted some comfy and more casual type jeans (I pretty much just live in black skinnies) and I got these. They are SO COMFY as far as jeans go and I love the stretch. I’ve been pairing them a lot with flannel and with cozy sweaters. And they are 40% right now!!

 

Harry Potter Jewelry -- RING

Alex and Ani Harry Potter ring

I’m so obsessed with my new ring! It comes in gold, too, but I really loved it in silver!

cute black boots from Target
Black Booties From Target

These are so comfy and look great with a variety of outfits! Totally glad I asked for these! My other booties like these were getting pretty worn.

Herbivore Pink Clay mask

I haven’t gotten a chance to use it yet but I can’t wait to pamper myself soon! My skin is in need of some major TLC.

 

Honest Beauty Lip Crayon

Honest Beauty Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in Sheer Petal

I LOVE THIS COLOR! It’s a semi-matte sort of lipstick and it goes on really nice! I really want to try some of the other colors!

 

What Riley Received

Riley got SPOILED (not by us..we got her two teethers, a bath toy and some clothes I would have bought anyways) for her first Christmas. Honestly, she doubled her toy collection (we are trying to keep her toys minimal). She got a lot of clothes that I couldn’t find in stock (my aunt buys her a ton of stuff from Zulily) and some stuff was in store but I tried to find everything she got!

The Toy Type Stuff

Toys ideas baby Christmas

 

Sassy Developmental Sensory Ball: Riley LOVES these already! I’m really digging this brand of toys. Her favorite bumpy ball is from them!

Peekabo Forest Soft Book : My sister got her this book and Riley has been so entertained by it. She loves the little flaps and that it makes a crunchy sound. (If you want to see more of the books Riley likes/we read, check this post out!)

Nuby Hoopla Bathtime Toy: Riley’s favorite time is bathtime and this toy is great! She loves it. It will be nice when she gets older because there are little rings that you can put on the tentacles!

Vtech Singing Puppy Rattle: Omg this thing is so annoying (thanks to my sis!!!) but Riley is obsessed with it! It’s super on sale right now, too!

Vtech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker: This one was from Will’s aunt & uncle and it’s really cute and Riley looooves it. She gets so excited when I bring it out! What I really like about it is that, right now, she can sit and play with it but also most of the panel on there detaches so I take it off a lot for her and put it in front of her/on her lap.

V-Tech Little Critters Moosical Beads: This is cute! She hasn’t gotten much time to play with it yet but she does seem to like it. She’s really into anything that makes noise and lights up lol.

Block Shape Sorter: She’s too young to use it as a shape sorter/stack them but she loves grabbing them out when I put them in and she LOVES dumping them!

Melissa & Doug Soft Blocks: These are GREAT! Riley finds it really humorous to knock them over when I make a tower next to her! Definitely a great set of first blocks for baby!

Soothe & Snuggle Lovey: She loves shoving this thing in her mouth basically. It’s cute..love all the different textures for tactility. Hopefully she will luck the snuggle part of it instead of trying to eat it!

We Are All Wonders book: My youngest sister picked this out for her and I was so happy as I wanted to buy it at some point!

Comotomo Teether: She was always putting her fingers in her mouth and this design is supposed to mimic it!

Oreo teethers: How adorbs!

Wacky teether: This one is one that my dad got her and she is obsessed with all the different textures and has it in her mouth always.

Clothes & Other Things


A lot of this stuff was on sale!! Also, can you tell we love plaid?? I bought a lot of the plaid stuff for her but a good chunk of it was bought by family members too!

Plaid flannel smock top // Buffalo Sweater Jacket (she wore this on Christmas day if you saw pics from that day!)//Ruffle plaid top (also worn on Christmas day)// Dotty Denim Tank // Cat ballet flats // Glitter sneakers // Cozy bunny booties // Dotty soft terry leggings // Stripe bell dress // Denim filled bear jacket // Shimmer plaid dress// Plaid ruffle top// Bow puffer vest // Flannel Top & Jeggings

Animal Print Tankini // Embellished Glitter Tee // Knit Jeggings //Fry-Day Top//Fleece Lined Cat Leggings //Jean Jacket

Cozy Cover Easy Seat: I had told my dad I wanted this when he asked for ideas after a friend of mine said she got it and loved it for her baby! I was really glad he got it for us!

 

Did you receive anything awesome over the holidays? Or did you TREAT YOURSELF to anything great this month? Do share! (because, you know, I’m nosy!)

 

[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.

 

 

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: clothes, lifestyle, toys

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. Chrystal says

    January 2, 2018 at 8:53 am

    My 18 month old still loves that octopus bath toy. And she had the same walker toy! She still plays with the walking toy even though she’s long outgrown it. LOL

    Looks like you and Riley had a great Christmas!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      January 2, 2018 at 8:57 am

      It really is the cutest bath toy!! We have another walker my sister gave us but I think I like this new one better! TOY OVERLOAD.

      We did have a great Christmas! It was really special even though she had no idea what was going on haha

      Reply
      • Chrystal says

        January 2, 2018 at 9:59 am

        Next Christmas will be even better. She’ll want to rip open the paper and play with everything. This was my favourite so far with Spencer.

        Spencer has WAY TOO MANY toys. I just finished organizing her room yesterday and after I put our Christmas tree away, I’ll be arranging the living room to make a play area. Everyone needs to stop buying her toys. LOL

        Reply
  2. Susan (Bloggin' 'bout Books) says

    January 2, 2018 at 11:01 am

    It’s so fun to shop for babies! My 14-month-old niece was with us for Christmas and we bought her a fun baby drum that talks and lights up. Go figure — the toy she liked most (and ended up taking home) was my daughter’s 10-year-old stuffed cat. Ha ha.

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  3. Carina says

    January 3, 2018 at 1:11 pm

    That sherpa hoodie looks so SOFT! I love soft clothes. Or comfortable clothes in general….. 🙂 And those legging/sweats look great too!

    Reply
  4. Courtney says

    January 3, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    Ohhhh I love the high waisted leggings!! Those are always my go to, especially after having kids. They are so comfortable.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      January 3, 2018 at 9:27 pm

      YES I am learning that, as a new mom, that high waisted is my FRIIIIIEND.

      Reply
  5. Kelsey says

    January 3, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    We try to keep the toys minimal at our house too. At least what we buy him. He has so many grandparents, aunts and and uncles etc. that spoil him. We stilll have huge toys in our garage from his 1st birthday on April of last year!!!

    His first Christmas we just got him a walker.

    Reply
  6. Stephanie Eiler says

    January 3, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    Sounds like you had an amazing Christmas!! I love all of the clothes that you posted, especially those joggers!! Thanks for the inspo!

    Reply
  7. Annemieke says

    January 4, 2018 at 9:19 am

    Yeay for being spoiled. We were too! 😉

    Merijn had that exact learning walker as well and that was so worth it. In the Summer I would take it outside and have him practice walking there. 😀

    Reply
  8. Emily Fata, www.EmulatingEmily.com says

    January 4, 2018 at 11:19 am

    These gifts are all so great! It looks like Santa treated you and Riley well this year! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all!

    Reply
  9. Kim says

    January 5, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    Those grey leggings look amazing! My baby was spoiled by relatives too. We received so many clothes for her that my husband banned me from shopping for any more baby clothes for the next little while. Buuuut, we have Boxing Day after Christmas and there were really good deals from the Gap so I got her a snowsuit and winter jacket for next winter! Now, we’re all set!

    Reply
  10. Terra Heck says

    January 10, 2018 at 4:08 am

    I was naughty and saved Santa the trip! j/k
    Love the leggings you received, especially the jeans pair.

    Reply

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perpetualpageturner

“Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — “Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — she says as she is surrounded by piles on piles of books on the floor and desk and packed on her bookshelf and book cart. (Partner @berkleypub - thanks for the review copy).⁣
⁣
I managed to pick my next read, as chronicled in these photos, but it was not easy with so many options! 

Decided to go with a most anticipated book of 2022 for me from an author who has written books I’ve really enjoyed.
⁣
I am about halfway through and cruising along because I NEED to figure out if Joseph is the worst or what really is going on here in this story that starts with 3 women being stood up by the same guy on Valentine’s Day.  I feel like there is something more to this one but I can’t quite put my finger on it yet! ⁣
⁣
Hoping to finish it this weekend! What are you reading this weekend? And do you have trouble picking your next read? How do you choose amongst all the options?
Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perf Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perfectly in my hands.⁣…
⁣
Truly felt like there were zero things more joyful than the warm sun on my face after colder, dreary days and remembering how much I love the feel of reading a mass market paperback. It’s probably a very specific little joy of mine and I definitely reveled in it today.⁣
⁣
But the real big joy has been rereading this book and experiencing it all over again before @bridgertonnetflix season 2 — especially the Pall Mall scene. And something to do with a 🐝 😅 iykyk⁣
⁣
With all the joy I’m getting out of this reread it makes me wonder why I don’t prioritize rereading like I used to before I started blogging 10 years ago.⁣
⁣
In my head I just want to experience all the new stories and try to make a dent in my TBR but I forget, until I do it, the genuine pleasure in revisiting old companions and how it’s a different side of reading one can experience — the nostalgia, the person I’ve become since reading the book and the way I approach a book already knowing what happens. Well the general sense of what happens because my memory is 💩!⁣
⁣
Anyways that’s what I’m up to currently. Trying to finish this up so I can pack my books for a short trip I’m going on later this week. My first ✈️ since 2019!⁣
⁣
Whatcha reading? Do you reread often? And tell me a little teeny tiny joy from your day.
If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow m If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow mash up the “screaming, crying”  Blank Space clip with the “emotional damage” refrain to the Bastille’s Pompeii to let you know how I feel after the last few chapters of #TheGildedCage !!⁣
⁣
And if you don’t understand what that means, I’m sorry 😅⁣
⁣
But woo boy do I need the third installment of this series!!! But I also think I’m going to be even more emotional damaged after that one soooo.⁣ 
⁣
Seriously, one of the best simple joys of my life is the feeling of being so wholly and totally invested in a series that you have to remind yourself it’s fiction lest you spend all day in bed crying about the devastated look a character had on their face — a face you didn’t even see with your own two eyes but you are so invested that you feel nauseous and gutted like you sure did.⁣
⁣
Just me orrrrrr?⁣
⁣
No but for real. If you love YA fantasy, go start #theprisonhealer so you can be caught up when The Blood Traitor comes out in June (and be my emotional support person for the duration of reading it). I love these characters and I dying to see what happens next. 

Have you read this series yet? Last book series that had you SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP because of the EMOTIONAL DAMAGE it inflicted?
A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be bothered to make it pretty — mismatching fuzzy sucks, coffee almost gone and Christmas pajama pants that are super old.⁣
⁣
But y’all Black Cake is so good!! I’m almost halfway through and I know it’s A Choice to declare it one of the best books I’ve read all year but I’m feeling bold based on how it’s going.⁣
⁣
I love a good family story (especially one with a family secret!) and this is top notch. The writing is 👌🏻 and I know I’m going to be screaming when the pieces come together!⁣
⁣
In other news, I’m 65% of the way through The Dry by Jane Harper and I’m enjoying it so much that I ended up staying on the treadmill twice this weekend after my allotted time was over just so I could keep listening.⁣
⁣
Will and I FINALLY started Ted Lasso this weekend. It is a damn delight!! For all the hype and praise, it has overdelivered for me which is kind of shocking because normally hype is scary. I told Will that I feel like all the praise hasn’t even come close to how much I could love it. We are only 7 episodes in so no spoilers!⁣
⁣
I’m kinda mad we sat on starting it for so long but at the same time I think the timing is right to help me see my way out of this February funk I have found myself in the past couple weeks.⁣
⁣
Anyways, hope everyone is having a good weekend! Have you read Black Cake or The Dry? Where are my Ted Lasso fans at? I’m happy to join your ranks! Also please tell me your fave character bc I am finding it impossible to pick this far!
No but seriously every year I contemplate organizi No but seriously every year I contemplate organizing a search party for one Katjay Millay who wrote one beautiful and amazing book and then...vanished.

Like for real. She wrote a tweet in 2015 that she was taking a few weeks off and then.... no tweets, no new books. Radio silence.

I hope she’s okay, for real, and that she knows I obsessively stalk Goodreads/Twitter/the internet to make sure I haven’t missed new book news from her at least twice a year. 🥺

Is there any author who you’ve been waiting forever for a new release from??

I’d also like to add YA author Sarah Ockler to this list! Last release was 2015 😭😭
Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are becoming movies/tv shows soon! And one of them is out TODAY!⁣
⁣
The Sky is Everywhere — it’s out today on AppleTV+ and I can’t wait to sob my brains out. One of my absolute most favorite books ever by one of my all time favorite authors. It’s gorgeous and heartbreaking in its poignant depiction of grief, first love and healing — all woven together in Jandy’s signature gorgeous, lyrical writing.⁣
⁣
Along For The Ride (out April 22) — one of a handful upcoming @sdessen books being adapted in the near future and I can’t wait! These books are so near and dear to my heart.⁣
⁣
No release dates yet for The Summer I Turned Pretty tv series (the ultimate coming of age summertime story!) or The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (the cutest meet cute of all meet cutes all set in 24 hours) but I am HYPED and have all my fingers crossed for 2022 🤞🤞

Have you read any of these? Anyone else hyped for these adaptations.

Also, for the past few years, I’ve kept a running list of books becoming movies/tv shows for the year. Head to my bio to check out the list! I try to update it weekly and keep on top of it all but life ya know 😆 but I try!
Is this a book club? I think we just started a boo Is this a book club? I think we just started a book club. Or maybe just a @jenniferesmith appreciation club?? (partner @randomhouse )⁣
⁣
Either way, after loving Jennifer E. Smith's YA books for years, it's been a real treat to also read her debut picture book with Riley (we loved!!) as well as her adult debut out in 3 weeks!⁣
⁣
⁣So let me tell you about that adult debut — The Unsinkable Great James!!

This one just was the perfect warm-hearted read for a cold and gloomy January.

A perfect setting to escape into (Alaska), a tender-hearted meet cute and a poignant look at the shared grieving experience of those left behind.

I was initially drawn, like I always am, to the daughter losing a mother storyline and an exploration of that grief but I was so taken by the father/daughter relationship between two people who were left untethered by losing the person who held their family together.

Greta and her father don't see eye-to-eye on basically anything when they are thrown together on this Alaskan cruise, a trip Greta's father and mother were supposed to take, and you can feel the tension of their long-standing tumultuous and fractured relationship -- a relationship that feels like its hanging in a balance and could not recover.

The two are both hurting so much from this loss  and it took my breath away at times in how true it rang to be in your own grief bubble and feeling like the loss is yours and yours alone while forgetting about the others shouldering their own piece of this loss. I loved watching them very slowly SEE one another.

I can't say enough good things about this one -- great setting, Greta's music, the meet-cute, the messy and imperfect nature of family and love. Definitely recommend!⁣
I was on a hot reading streak and now for the past I was on a hot reading streak and now for the past few days I get all cozy in bed to read at night and am asleep by 4 pages in. Will got a kick out of waking up to me basically spooning my kindle. Ebbs and flows, y’all.⁣
⁣
Let’s do a little reading update with an edition of Last, Current & Next.⁣
⁣
Last - The Girl With the Louding Voice: Adunni is by far one of the most memorable voices I’ve read in a book in a very long time. Her hope and resilience in the face of some awful situations kept me turning the pages and rooting for her. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally read it. Highly recommend!⁣
⁣
Now - Deep in Providence (thank you @fiercereads ): I’m about halfway through after I carved out some time to read early this morning and I’m enjoying this story of grief, love and magic. I’m nervous about these girls trying to resurrect their dead friend though! When I put it down today I was getting a little creeped by some things happening.⁣
⁣
Next - The Kiss of Deception: I’m rereading the first book in this YA fantasy series because it’s been forever and I really wanna finish the trilogy. I’ve been really wanting to go through series I’ve left unfinished for years (not for lack of interest but because I suck at juggling all the series I start) so this is one of them. I remember loving it so I’m excited to dive in and binge. 

Whatcha reading? Have you read any of these? Anyone else on the struggle train with reading at night right now?
Braved the downpour to get my library holds. I hop Braved the downpour to get my library holds. I hope they are worth it! Please tell me they are!⁣
⁣
This is also, before I get to the stack,  an appreciation post for my tiny library and wonderful librarians.⁣
⁣
They normally open at 9am during the week —except Fridays. Did I remember that? Nope. So I was I was SO proud of Riley and I for getting our butts in gear to be for around opening time to drop off a stack and get my new ones.⁣
⁣
And alas, I go to open the door and it’s locked. Now I’m holding Riley’s hand, two tote bags full of books, an umbrella that I’m trying to keep over the both of us, mind you. I’m thoroughly confused until it hits me that it’s Friday.⁣
⁣
So I’m like, welp, guess we are just dropping off in the bin so I try to grab my books out and put them in one-handed while juggling the umbrella and less than enthused Riley.⁣
⁣
Mercifully the door opens and  our children’s librarian takes pity on us and lets us in to drop off and pick up the holds.⁣
⁣
Is this what being a VIP as a celebrity feels like?? Sure feels like it to me 😆 for real though, it pays to be a regular and have a cute kid in tow who is being pelted with rain.⁣
⁣
Anyways excited about this stack but especially Wahala, Daughter of the Moon Goddess and How High We Go In The Dark the most.⁣
⁣
Also have been meaning to snag The World Gives Way after @jordys.book.club recommendation!⁣
⁣
Have you read any of these? Any that you think were definitely worth the rain-soaked journey for??⁣
⁣
Alright now I’m off to curl up and read on this rainy, dreary day which is really what I think a day like this is meant for.
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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.

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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“Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — “Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — she says as she is surrounded by piles on piles of books on the floor and desk and packed on her bookshelf and book cart. (Partner @berkleypub - thanks for the review copy).⁣
⁣
I managed to pick my next read, as chronicled in these photos, but it was not easy with so many options! 

Decided to go with a most anticipated book of 2022 for me from an author who has written books I’ve really enjoyed.
⁣
I am about halfway through and cruising along because I NEED to figure out if Joseph is the worst or what really is going on here in this story that starts with 3 women being stood up by the same guy on Valentine’s Day.  I feel like there is something more to this one but I can’t quite put my finger on it yet! ⁣
⁣
Hoping to finish it this weekend! What are you reading this weekend? And do you have trouble picking your next read? How do you choose amongst all the options?
Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perf Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perfectly in my hands.⁣…
⁣
Truly felt like there were zero things more joyful than the warm sun on my face after colder, dreary days and remembering how much I love the feel of reading a mass market paperback. It’s probably a very specific little joy of mine and I definitely reveled in it today.⁣
⁣
But the real big joy has been rereading this book and experiencing it all over again before @bridgertonnetflix season 2 — especially the Pall Mall scene. And something to do with a 🐝 😅 iykyk⁣
⁣
With all the joy I’m getting out of this reread it makes me wonder why I don’t prioritize rereading like I used to before I started blogging 10 years ago.⁣
⁣
In my head I just want to experience all the new stories and try to make a dent in my TBR but I forget, until I do it, the genuine pleasure in revisiting old companions and how it’s a different side of reading one can experience — the nostalgia, the person I’ve become since reading the book and the way I approach a book already knowing what happens. Well the general sense of what happens because my memory is 💩!⁣
⁣
Anyways that’s what I’m up to currently. Trying to finish this up so I can pack my books for a short trip I’m going on later this week. My first ✈️ since 2019!⁣
⁣
Whatcha reading? Do you reread often? And tell me a little teeny tiny joy from your day.
If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow m If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow mash up the “screaming, crying”  Blank Space clip with the “emotional damage” refrain to the Bastille’s Pompeii to let you know how I feel after the last few chapters of #TheGildedCage !!⁣
⁣
And if you don’t understand what that means, I’m sorry 😅⁣
⁣
But woo boy do I need the third installment of this series!!! But I also think I’m going to be even more emotional damaged after that one soooo.⁣ 
⁣
Seriously, one of the best simple joys of my life is the feeling of being so wholly and totally invested in a series that you have to remind yourself it’s fiction lest you spend all day in bed crying about the devastated look a character had on their face — a face you didn’t even see with your own two eyes but you are so invested that you feel nauseous and gutted like you sure did.⁣
⁣
Just me orrrrrr?⁣
⁣
No but for real. If you love YA fantasy, go start #theprisonhealer so you can be caught up when The Blood Traitor comes out in June (and be my emotional support person for the duration of reading it). I love these characters and I dying to see what happens next. 

Have you read this series yet? Last book series that had you SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP because of the EMOTIONAL DAMAGE it inflicted?
A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be bothered to make it pretty — mismatching fuzzy sucks, coffee almost gone and Christmas pajama pants that are super old.⁣
⁣
But y’all Black Cake is so good!! I’m almost halfway through and I know it’s A Choice to declare it one of the best books I’ve read all year but I’m feeling bold based on how it’s going.⁣
⁣
I love a good family story (especially one with a family secret!) and this is top notch. The writing is 👌🏻 and I know I’m going to be screaming when the pieces come together!⁣
⁣
In other news, I’m 65% of the way through The Dry by Jane Harper and I’m enjoying it so much that I ended up staying on the treadmill twice this weekend after my allotted time was over just so I could keep listening.⁣
⁣
Will and I FINALLY started Ted Lasso this weekend. It is a damn delight!! For all the hype and praise, it has overdelivered for me which is kind of shocking because normally hype is scary. I told Will that I feel like all the praise hasn’t even come close to how much I could love it. We are only 7 episodes in so no spoilers!⁣
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I’m kinda mad we sat on starting it for so long but at the same time I think the timing is right to help me see my way out of this February funk I have found myself in the past couple weeks.⁣
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Anyways, hope everyone is having a good weekend! Have you read Black Cake or The Dry? Where are my Ted Lasso fans at? I’m happy to join your ranks! Also please tell me your fave character bc I am finding it impossible to pick this far!
No but seriously every year I contemplate organizi No but seriously every year I contemplate organizing a search party for one Katjay Millay who wrote one beautiful and amazing book and then...vanished.

Like for real. She wrote a tweet in 2015 that she was taking a few weeks off and then.... no tweets, no new books. Radio silence.

I hope she’s okay, for real, and that she knows I obsessively stalk Goodreads/Twitter/the internet to make sure I haven’t missed new book news from her at least twice a year. 🥺

Is there any author who you’ve been waiting forever for a new release from??

I’d also like to add YA author Sarah Ockler to this list! Last release was 2015 😭😭
Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are becoming movies/tv shows soon! And one of them is out TODAY!⁣
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The Sky is Everywhere — it’s out today on AppleTV+ and I can’t wait to sob my brains out. One of my absolute most favorite books ever by one of my all time favorite authors. It’s gorgeous and heartbreaking in its poignant depiction of grief, first love and healing — all woven together in Jandy’s signature gorgeous, lyrical writing.⁣
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Along For The Ride (out April 22) — one of a handful upcoming @sdessen books being adapted in the near future and I can’t wait! These books are so near and dear to my heart.⁣
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No release dates yet for The Summer I Turned Pretty tv series (the ultimate coming of age summertime story!) or The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (the cutest meet cute of all meet cutes all set in 24 hours) but I am HYPED and have all my fingers crossed for 2022 🤞🤞

Have you read any of these? Anyone else hyped for these adaptations.

Also, for the past few years, I’ve kept a running list of books becoming movies/tv shows for the year. Head to my bio to check out the list! I try to update it weekly and keep on top of it all but life ya know 😆 but I try!
Is this a book club? I think we just started a boo Is this a book club? I think we just started a book club. Or maybe just a @jenniferesmith appreciation club?? (partner @randomhouse )⁣
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Either way, after loving Jennifer E. Smith's YA books for years, it's been a real treat to also read her debut picture book with Riley (we loved!!) as well as her adult debut out in 3 weeks!⁣
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⁣So let me tell you about that adult debut — The Unsinkable Great James!!

This one just was the perfect warm-hearted read for a cold and gloomy January.

A perfect setting to escape into (Alaska), a tender-hearted meet cute and a poignant look at the shared grieving experience of those left behind.

I was initially drawn, like I always am, to the daughter losing a mother storyline and an exploration of that grief but I was so taken by the father/daughter relationship between two people who were left untethered by losing the person who held their family together.

Greta and her father don't see eye-to-eye on basically anything when they are thrown together on this Alaskan cruise, a trip Greta's father and mother were supposed to take, and you can feel the tension of their long-standing tumultuous and fractured relationship -- a relationship that feels like its hanging in a balance and could not recover.

The two are both hurting so much from this loss  and it took my breath away at times in how true it rang to be in your own grief bubble and feeling like the loss is yours and yours alone while forgetting about the others shouldering their own piece of this loss. I loved watching them very slowly SEE one another.

I can't say enough good things about this one -- great setting, Greta's music, the meet-cute, the messy and imperfect nature of family and love. Definitely recommend!⁣

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